Chaumiere du Prairie
Welcome to Chaumiere du prairie!
Before we dig into the history of this beautiful place, we must make two essential acknowledgements. One, that we are on the traditional territory of Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee East) and Shawnee nations. Two, enslaved peoples built and maintained Chaumiere du Prairie for many years.
We wish to add more intention and detail to our acknowledgements. That requires both time and care to thoughtfully prepare. We will be in touch with local Indigenous nations or organizations to build relationships and support their work. We will also reach out to African American and Black individuals and organizations to discuss meaningful restorative actions.
We love Chaumiere du Prairie. We’re going to work hard to honor the history and intentions of this beautiful place while bringing a new life that welcomes and celebrates all.
Family Accounts of Col. David Meade and Chaumiere History
Patrick David Meade, Sixth Great Grandson to Col. David Meade:
A detailed description of the voyage by David, his family, and his “black family” (as he describes his slaves) to his best friend and his Aunt he left behind in Williamsburg, VA. These two multi-page letters are in the museum in Williamsburg.
David was a member of the House of Burgess and had an English education. He was always upset with the mistreatment of slaves and indentured servants and in 1795 was the first signature on legislation to free all children of [enslaved people] and indentured servants.
Upon arriving in Kentucky, his wife and daughters stayed in Lexington while David and his sons and his slaves began building Chaumiere which included a school for his children and the children of the [enslaved people].
During construction of the 100-acre grounds which included a lake, island, bridges, and road encircling the lake with benches at areas of interest, the slaves found a cave. When they explored the cave, they found remains of giants (nine feet long) which scared the slaves and they refused to go back in. The bones were later identified by surrounding native Americans as an ancient tribe of tall people.
David Meade owned “The Coffee House” in Williamsburg which was a meeting place for politicians and entertained many of Meade’s friends such as George Washington which became a business partner in the unsuccessful draining of the Dismal Swamp.
David’s grandfather, Andrew Meade, became wealthy from trading glass beads to the Native Americans in the Chesapeake Bay area. David’s father David I, married the daughter of Governor Richard Everard who left his daughter, Susannah, six estates in England upon his death. Together they became instrumental in changing their trade of glass bead importers to bringing Africans from London to Virginia. They would make $1,500 per slave and ran 3 ships which brought 100,000 slaves to Virginia.
Although Chaumiere is a very nice home place, all the Virginia politicians came to visit because Meade had funded most of the Revolutionary War and they were seeking political donations. When Arron Burr wanted to buy Louisiana and start his own country, he sought funding from David with a partner, Harmon Blennerhassette, a wealthy man with royal descent and owner of an island home on the Ohio River. David wished them well but luckily refused to get involved.
David brought a young, female artist to live at Chaumiere for several years and from her work we have the watercolor works of the landscaping, home, and many of the children. She left and relocated in St. Louis where much of her work is in the museum.