ExploreThe “Field of Healing” at Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center is a special commemoration dedicated to the men, women, and children who were in bondage in Hannibal and Marion County.
During the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration, Hannibal children helped to create a special remembrance of Hannibal’s enslaved residents called the “Field of Healing”.
The display of 1,500 white flags pays homage to men, women, and children in bondage in Marion County as listed in the 1860 U.S. Census. Most are nameless but many can be named and commemorated.
More than 50 youth from churches and various youth organizations worked together to make the “Field of Healing”. They were joined by Marsha Mayfield, Stephanie Himmel, Andre Sheard and other community members invited to participate in the project.
According to the 1860 U.S. Census, there were more than 2,800 “slaves” in Marion County. On January 11, 1865, the State of Missouri emancipated more than 14,000 “slaves”.
Also on the grounds of Jim’s Journey is a brick memorial, “Unseen”, created to commemorate the enslaved on Janes Rogers Marion County Farm.
