Updates

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Image Source: kallerna/Wikipedia.com

/ˌəp-ˈdāt/

“current information for updating something” (Merriam-Webster.com, July 2026)

The following are periodic significant updates to the “Plantation” Atlas. Below are state-by-state statuses of the comprehensive, Redacted Heritage Audits (TM) of each state’s former “plantations,” i.e., forced-labor camps. This project is a continual work in progress. Therefore, statuses are either:

  • “Substantially Complete,” meaning enough data has been collected to move on to other states, or

  • “Incomplete,” meaning there is a substantial amount of data missing, or “null” data fields.

“Null,” represented by the white push pin on the map and in the Atlas tables and filters, indicates that the data analyst has not obtained data for that “plantation” site.

  • Thurs., Aug. 5, 2026

    Total Number of “Plantations” in the Atlas: 1,400

    State added to the Atlas: Vermont, with 5 “plantations”

    Total Number of U.S. states: 29

    Thurs., Aug. 23, 2026

    Total Number of “Plantations” in the Atlas: 1,575

    Total Number of U.S. states: 29

  • Thurs., July 3, 2026

    Number of states in the atlas: 28

    Number of “plantations”: 1,296

    Special for 4th of July Independence Day and USA 250:

    Filter the Atlas to see the location of former forced labor camps established in 1776 and pre-1776. Send us a message to access the Atlas to explore this data metric in the Atlas.

    Fri., July 17, 2026

    After a one-week research trip to Montgomery, AL, and New Orleans, LA, added more “plantation” heritage sites to the Atlas, including the entire city of New Orleans and the city of Montgomery, AL. Research trip funded by a National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) Early Career Faculty Research Grant.

    Total Number of “Plantations” in the Atlas: 1,321

    Sun., July 19, 2026

    Total Number of “Plantations” in the Atlas: 1,330

  • Fri., June 19, 2026

    Launch of the “Plantation” Atlas. Watch the recording: click here.

    Number of states in the Atlas: 28

    Comprehensive Redacted Heritage Audits:

    • Illinois

    • Arkansas

Substantially Complete Audits

  • A map of Illinois and surrounding states with a purple marker in southern Illinois, showing county boundaries and some water bodies. The map is titled Illinois with cited map sources and a timestamp.

    Illinois

    June 19, 2026.

    Substantially Complete.

    Number of “Plantations”: 4

  • Map of Arkansas showing plotted points and lines of data analysis, with labels for the state and surrounding regions, and a header indicating it represents a heritage atlas project.

    Arkansas

    August 5, 2026.

    Substantially Complete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 14

Incomplete Audits

  • Map showing the state of Alabama, with various markers and labels indicating geographic data points and research information about Alabama's Black history and preservation.

    Alabama

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 166

  • Map of Connecticut with markers indicating specific locations, part of a digital Atlas showcasing historic preservation sites in the state.

    Connecticut

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “plantations”= 10

  • Map of Delaware with symbols indicating heritage sites and data points, overlaid with a black header containing attribution and update information.

    Delaware

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 31

  • Map of the District of Columbia with a purple location pin and a black briefcase icon, labeled as part of a heritage atlas of historic preservation and belonging lab, last updated on July 3, 2026.

    District of Columbia

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 3

  • Map of Florida with markers indicating locations related to the heritage atlas of wrkSHap kiloWatt's Black in Historic Preservation, showing the state outline with several circular markers along the east coast.

    Florida

    July 19, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 27

  • A digital map highlighting a network of marked locations across Georgia, with icons resembling pins or markers, on a grayish background.

    Georgia

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 74

  • Map of Kentucky with various colored pins and circles marking locations, overlaid on a light gray background with state outlines and water bodies, with a black header containing white text.

    Kentucky

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 74

  • A map of Louisiana highlighting its rivers and waterways, with various colored pins marking specific locations, and a black header containing attribution and copyright information.

    Louisiana

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 197

  • A map of Maine in the United States, showing the coastline and inland water bodies, with labels for neighboring states Vermont and New Hampshire, and a small icon of a pirate ship near the southern coast.

    Maine

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 5

  • Map of Maryland with markers indicating data points related to historic preservation, with details about a heritage atlas. The map is a digital geographic representation with icons and markers showing specific locations within Maryland.

    Maryland

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 33

  • Map showing part of the northeastern United States, with markers indicating locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

    Massachusetts

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 5

  • Map of Mississippi with colored pins marking data points related to historical heritage and preservation, details of a heritage atlas project, and a timestamp of July 3, 2026.

    Mississippi

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 93

  • Map of Missouri with pins marking specific locations and a geographic overview of the state.

    Missouri

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 8

  • A map of New Hampshire with a cluster of colored circles in the southern part of the state near the border with Massachusetts.

    New Hampshire

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 4

  • Map of New Jersey highlighting locations of historic preservation or heritage sites, marked with icons such as circles and pins. The map displays neighboring states Maryland and Delaware.

    New Jersey

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 10

  • Map of New York with colored circles indicating data points, showing the state's location in the northeastern United States.

    New York

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 32

  • Map of North Carolina with marked locations and a header noting data details and copyright information.

    North Carolina

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 137

  • Map of Ohio with a purple location marker in the southern part of the state, West Virginia is visible to the southeast.

    Ohio

    3July2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 2

  • Map of Oklahoma with surrounding states and labels for Kansas and Texas. The map shows shaded areas representing old plantation sites with a focus on historical preservation.

    Oklahoma

    3July2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 1

  • Map of Pennsylvania with markers indicating specific locations, including one near the southwest corner of the state and several along the eastern border.

    Pennsylvania

    3July2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 9

  • Map of Rhode Island with highlighted points and labels indicating heritage sites and data analytics details.

    Rhode Island

    3July2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 8

  • Map of South Carolina showing various locations marked with purple pins, and cartoon ducks scattered across the state. The map includes details such as boundaries and lakes, with a black header displaying project information and data update timestamp.

    South Carolina

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 109

  • Map of Tennessee highlighting historic preservation data with markers in the state.

    Tennesse

    July 6, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 45

  • Map of Texas with marked locations and a black banner at the top containing white text about Heritage Atlas related to wrkShap kiloWatt's Black in Historic Preservation, with data analytics by K. Kennedy Whiters, last updated on July 3, 2026.

    Texas

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 24

  • Vermont

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 5

  • Map of the eastern United States highlighting Virginia with markers indicating specific locations and data points.

    Virginia

    August 5, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 211

  • Map of West Virginia with marked locations of black and white sheep, and a few brown sheep, along with some text and a black header.

    West Virginia

    July 3, 2026.

    Incomplete.

    Number of “Plantations”= 58

Why is the word “Plantation” in quotation marks?

The quotation marks acknowledge that “plantation” is not the best term to describe these historic heritage sites.

The quotation marks acknowledge that the word “plantation” is a euphemism, a type of redacted language, a stand-in for words that more appropriately describe the violent history that took place at these historic heritage sites: forced labor camps, and in some cases, forced death camps (see the sugar plantations).

“Plantation” Atlas

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