Freetown Village

Indianapolis, Indiana

Children are taught about African-American history in Indianapolis by one of the residents of Freetown Village.

Journey back in time to an era and a people, often forgotten by the history books, whose lives, though fraught with uncertainty and still burdened by their past, were full of new hope. This is Freetown Village, a living history museum based on the lives of African-Americans in Indiana during the pivotal time shortly after the Civil War. Residents of Freetown Village show us how the recently freed African-Americans lived around 1870, five years after the passage of the 13^th Amendment.

Freetown Village was begun in 1982 by Ophelia Wellington, a former teacher with a passion for African-American history. She brought together a group of people who have created some of the most interactive and compelling living theatre in Indiana. Using census data from that time period Freetown Village created composites of real individuals from Indianapolis to base their residents on.

The residents of Freetown Village bring the people of this dynamic era alive in several different ways. One of these is their yearly summer camp for children, which teaches children about African-American culture and history. They also have a touring troupe of actors that can perform at schools and special events. Some of their most popular programs are their craft workshops – these have included quilt workshops held at different Marion County library locations that teach about the history and culture of quilting while teaching how to quilt. Several residents of Freetown Village gather on the front porch.

Another popular activity provided by the residents of Freetown Village is their Evening Dinner. Held at the historic Madame Walker Theatre, guests experience not just the conversation, parlor games, stories, and music popular among African-Americans in the late 19^th century, but also the food. Though the fare is usually simple it is also delicious, and it shows the influence that food and recipes brought from Africa have had on what is eaten in America.

Freetown Village can be contacted at 317-631-1870.

A young resident of Freetown Village works on her quilt

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