This ever-expanding Collection has items such as:
1. Authentic, priceless slave ball, with handle (50 lb.) -- #3 written on it, for "trouble-makers", manufactured late 1600s -- used on the London-based slave ship, Henrietta Marie, the oldest identifiable slave ship wreck in the world (summer, 1700) ; featured in National Geographic's (August, 2002).   By one estimate Henrietta Marie’s cargo grossed well over £3,000 (more than $400,000 today) for the ship’s investors. Most of the captives were headed for sugar plantations where they’d be worked to exhaustion, many dying within five to ten years. Sturdy and fast, The Henrietta Marie traveled the infamous triangular trade route favored by the slavers - from England to the Guinea coast, to the Americas, then home again. Accounts relating to the Henrietta Marie’s voyages were uncovered, as were the names of her investors, captains, and wills of some of her crew members. Artifacts found at the site proved particularly helpful in creating a picture of shipboard life and the practices of the slave trade.
2. Two Wedgwood jasperware black on white Anti-Slavery medallions, with the bound slave on the front, and the words "Am I Not A Man and A Brother?" around it.  Also, a rare 1800s antique bronze figure of man (6" high, weighs 18 oz.) pictured in medallion.
3. One-of-a-kind signed letters/albums/contracts/sheet music from Nat King Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, B. B. King, Ethel Waters, Pearl Bailey, Miles Davis, Fats Domino, Quincy Jones, Earl Hines, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr., Grover Washington, Jr., Count Basie, Mills Brothers, Ozzie Davis, Lena Horne, Four Tops, Cicely Tyson, James Brown, Charlie Pride, Bo Diddley, Bobby Blue and others...
4. A rare 1838 (third edition) copy of Phillis Wheatley's book, "Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley, A Native African and a Slave" -- Includes memoir, George Washington's letter to Wheatley, preface by John Wheatley, plus poems by another slave, George Moses Horton, with introduction and letters. And also the 1773 edition of the Gentleman's Magazine -- first published mention of Phillis Wheatley's book, first printed in the UK, paid for by the Countess of Huntingdon.
5. Silver Civil War locket (1860s), containing two tin-type pictures of African American women, worn by an African American soldier.
6. The Rosetta Stone, a First Edition 55-page article in Archaeologia: Miscellaneous Tracts Relating to Antiquity, Volume XVI, published by The Society of Antiquaries of London. 1812. Some of the first published articles about the Rosetta Stone. This is historic in light of the fact that the code to Hieroglyphics wasn't cracked until 1822 by Jean Champollion.
7. Riggs Bank check written and signed on July 3, 1907 by Judson W. Lyons, ex-slave from Georgia and first African-American lawyer to practice in the state of Georgia. He was appointed Register of the US Treasury from 1898-1906 and as such, his signature appeared on US currency issued during those years.
8. 1820s "T Porter" slave button (from Antigua, British West Indies), used to identify the slave owners.
9. Click Here to view more items and images...
 

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Dr. Freeman's Collection is owned by The Freeman Institute -- The ultimate plan is to open African American history galleries in major American cities and selected cities internationally. Our goal is to educate and inspire young people with the "C.P.A. Approach".


    1. Capturing Hearts and Minds through the inspiration received from and knowledge contained in Return To Glory resources.  A combined strategic focus on this step, will allow RTG to be even more deliberate in achieving its goal of changing the distorted image of Black people by starting from their ancient beginnings instead of the traditional starting points of slavery, colonization or apartheid.
     2. Proving the Point with actual documents and artifacts. Verification of the history will be established through collections and exhibitions of genuine historical documents and artifacts from the respective nation in which RTG has a presence. PHASE 1: We are currently in the process of implementing Phase 1, utilizing the African American History Collection (on this web page). More comprehensive Phases will be implemented once additional finances are secured.
     3. Affecting Change by establishing partnerships with national and community-based service organizations whose purpose is to impact behavior and alter life outcomes. The Return To Glory Foundation will provide resources to help these organizations as they assist their constituents in achieving their true potential, regardless of race, gender or generation.         -- Any ideas? email (cell: 410-991-9718)

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