Unboxing Henry “Box” Brown
Unboxing Henry “Box” Brown
On March 23, 1849, Henry Brown began one of the most dramatic escapes from slavery in American history. In this lesson plan, students will learn about the institution of slavery by examining the life and experiences of Henry “Box” Brown, focusing on his innovative escape when mailing himself from a slave state to a free state. Through participation inactivities such as class discussion, reading excerpts of The Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown, Written by Himself, and the creation of their own art and dramatic presentation based on Henry’s life and experiences, students will learn about the complexities of slavery and freedom in the 1800s.
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Essential Questions:
Despite the situation they were forced into and the difficulties they experienced, in what ways did enslaved people remain resilient?
What are the various ways enslaved people resisted, both outwardly and inwardly?
Who was Henry “Box” Brown and what was his experience like as an enslaved man?
How did Henry “Box” Brown escape slavery and what was he risking by doing so?
What lessons can we learn from Henry “Box” Brown’s life story?