Clay County Historic Sites awarded grant for educational project

LIBERTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- Clay County Historic Sites was awarded a grant from Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) to support an educational project that teaches about slavery and its effects on America.

The "Slave Dwelling Project with Joseph McGill" is an educational initiative that will explore the history of slavery and the enduring struggle for freedom at the Jesse James Birthplace.

Through the project, Clay County Historic Sites aims to deepen public understanding of the lives of enslaved African Americans, strengthen heritage tourism and foster meaningful conversations about slavery, freedom and Missouri's frontier history.

“Clay County Historic Sites is pleased to be bringing Joseph McGill and the Slave Dwelling Project to the Jesse James Birthplace. Through educational outreach, the Slave Dwelling Project has encouraged honest conversations about slavery and its enduring legacy in America. Bringing this program to Clay County will provide an extraordinary educational opportunity for our region and engage participants in meaningful dialogue and honor the contributions surrounding the lives of enslaved African Americans and their descendants in our communities,” said Elizabeth Beckett, Clay County Historic Sites manager.

Freedom’s Frontier is a congressionally designated national heritage area that spans eastern Kansas and western Missouri, working with partners to preserve and share the stories of the region’s role in shaping the nation’s history. FFNHA provides grant funding to support projects promoting heritage tourism, historic preservation, and public interpretation.

“Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is proud to support projects like this that bring our shared history to life,” said Lucinda Adams, FFNHA Executive Director. “By investing in local partners, we’re helping communities preserve their stories, engage new audiences, and strengthen heritage tourism across the region."

The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 11, 2026.