Seth Rockman on Plantation Goods: Unveiling Material History of American Slavery

The Photo Detective

On this episode of The Photo Detective, I’m joined by Seth Rockman, author of Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery. Seth’s groundbreaking research uncovers the economic and material ties that connected New England industries to the Southern plantation economy in the 19th century. From the labor of Rhode Island seamstresses to the cotton fields of Mississippi, his work reveals the intricate networks of production and exploitation that defined this era. Join us as we explore the stories of everyday objects and the lives they shaped across America’s divided landscape.

• New England’s Role in Plantation Economy: Exploring the economic links between Northern industry and Southern slavery.
• Material History Insights: How objects like wool pants and shoes reveal hidden narratives of exploitation and labor.
• Local and Global Perspectives: The intersection of Rhode Island industry with global commodity markets.
• Impact on Modern Ethical Dilemmas: Connecting 19th-century consumer choices to contemporary concerns like fair trade and sustainable labor.
• Rich Archival Discoveries: The pivotal role of family records and company account books in reconstructing forgotten histories.

Related Episodes:

Episode 220: Dress Codes and Fashion Rules Through History with Richard Thompson Ford

Episode 195: Imperfect History with Curator Sarah Weatherwax

Links:

• Seth Rockman
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About My Guest:

Seth Rockman is an associate professor of history at Brown University. He is the author of Scraping By: Wage Labor, Slavery, and Survival in Early Baltimore and coeditor of Slavery’s Capitalism: A New History of American Economic Development. Rockman serves on the faculty advisory board of Brown University’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveTM, helps clients with photo-related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

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