Help Preserve Sharswood — Where My Enslaved Ancestors Lived, and Where Their Story Must Be Told

I never imagined that purchasing a historic plantation would lead me to discover that my own ancestors were enslaved there. But that is exactly what happened.

I am Fredrick Miller, and today I serve as the steward of Sharswood — the very land where my great-great-grandparents, David and Violet Miller, lived in bondage, where their daughter Sarah (my great-grandmother) was born, and where generations of stories were nearly lost to time.

What began as a property purchase became a deeply personal journey into history, identity, and responsibility. Now, I am working to ensure those stories are never forgotten.

Why Sharswood Matters

Sharswood is not just a historic property — it is a living connection to America’s past. It represents resilience, survival, and truth. But many of the physical reminders of that history are deteriorating and at risk of being lost forever.

This land holds stories that deserve to be told honestly and preserved with dignity.

A Vision for Stewardship

Now that I am the steward of Sharswood, my vision is clear. I want this land to be a place of learning, reflection, and understanding — especially for those whose ancestors were brutally impacted by the system of slavery. Sharswood should be a place where history is faced honestly and where people can come to connect, heal, and learn.

I am committed to keeping Sharswood free and accessible to the entire community because there is so much to be gained from experiencing this place firsthand. The stories here matter, and they deserve to be shared openly.

What We Are Raising Funds For

We are working to preserve Sharswood as a place of education and remembrance by:

Restoring a deteriorating slave dwelling

Creating a memorial honoring enslaved individuals buried on the property

Stabilizing and protecting historic structures

Maintaining the grounds for public access and educational programming

National Recognition

The story of Sharswood has been featured nationally, including on CBS News’ 60 Minutes and in The Washington Post in an article by Joe Heim. These stories helped bring awareness to this powerful history — but there is still much work ahead.

Why We Need Your Help

Preserving history comes with real costs. Every step — from maintaining the grounds to protecting historic structures and honoring those buried here — requires resources.

I cannot do this alone.

I need the public’s support to ensure Sharswood can continue to educate, honor, and serve future generations.

How You Can Make a Difference

Your support today helps protect a nationally recognized historic site.

Every gift — no matter the size — helps move this work forward.

Your donation directly supports preservation, restoration, and keeping Sharswood accessible to the public.

Please consider:

Making a donation

Sharing this campaign

Checking if your employer offers matching gifts

Tax Deductible & Matching Gifts

The Sharswood Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Many employers also offer matching gift programs — please consider checking with your company to double your impact.

A Promise to the Future

With your support, the lives of David, Violet, Sarah, and countless others will be honored, remembered, and given the dignity they deserve.

Together, we can turn a place once defined by bondage into a place of education, healing, and understanding for generations to come.

Learn more at:

SharswoodFoundation.com