The Hidden Free Black Society They Don’t Teach You About In School

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:33:04 +0200

Deep in the Great Dismal Swamp, thousands of Black people created a hidden free society, one that defied slavery for centuries. This is the story of the rebels who turned a swamp into a sanctuary.This episode of In The Margins is part of PBS’ America@250 collection, celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary. Democracy is built on participation. Get involved at https://vote.org/pbsIn The Margins is a series that covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.Sources used in this episode:-Dismal Freedom, A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp by J. Brent Morris-Slavery's Exiles, The Story of the American Maroons by Sylviane A. Diouf-Armed in the Great Swamp: Fear, Maroon Insurrection, and the Insurgent Ecology of the Great Dismal Swamp by Kathryn Benjamin Golden*****PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateORIG*****Subscribe to PBS Origins so you never miss an episode! / @pbsorigins And keep up with In the Margins and PBS Origins on:Facebook: / pbsdigitalstudios Instagram: www.instagram.com/pbsds