Before stepping inside the log kitchen, take a moment to observe the outside. This building was constructed in the 1980s by students from Central Piedmont Community College as part of a project in experiential archaeology.
Experiential archaeology is a method where researchers and students use historical tools, techniques, and methods to recreate past experiences, providing insights into how people lived and worked. In this case, the students not only built this kitchen, but they did so using 18th-century construction techniques, from felling trees to assembling the log walls. The result is a historically accurate representation of what buildings in 18th-century Charlotte would have looked like, built directly on top of the foundation of the original kitchen.
Thanks to past archaeological studies, we know that the dimensions of this building match those of an outbuilding. The original fireplace and hearth are still in place, indicating that this spot likely housed the kitchen when the Alexander family lived here. Kitchens were often separate from the main house to reduce the risk of fire. It’s believed that the original kitchen burned down years ago.
As you step inside, you'll see that the fireplace was the central feature of the kitchen, serving as the primary space for all cooking activities. However, most cooking wasn’t done directly over the fire. Instead, hot coals were moved onto the hearth, and pots and pans were placed on top of them. This method allowed for a more controlled heat. Cooks could even place hot coals on top of cookware, like a Dutch oven, to ensure even heating from all sides. In the 18th century, hearth cooking required both skill and patience, and it wasn’t uncommon for a fire to be kept burning day and night.
Bett, an enslaved woman, was responsible for cooking for the Alexander family. She would have lived and worked in this kitchen, likely along with her daughter, Jenny. Notice the bedroll tucked beneath the stairs—a reminder that this space was not only for cooking but also served as living quarters for Bett and Jenny. There was always someone here tending the fire, ensuring that the hot coals stayed ready for cooking. If the fire went out, it was a laborious and time-consuming process to reignite it and get the coals hot enough to cook on.
Imagine the heat and smoke in this building during the summer months. With the fire going constantly, and the daily tasks of preparing meals, cleaning, and prepping for the next day, it would have been an uncomfortable and smoky place. The second floor provided some relief, allowing the hot air and smoke to rise, but it was mostly used as a storage area for dry goods, herbs, and cooking equipment.
Take a look at the gourd on the table. This simple item reflects a combination of colonial and Indigenous knowledge. Gourds would be dried and used as containers to store dry goods. Interestingly, gourds have a natural taste and smell that insects dislike, making them an effective storage option.
Now, a question we often get is whether this building was a slave cabin. The answer is a bit complex. While enslaved people, like Bett and Jenny, likely spent much of their time working and sleeping here, this building was primarily a kitchen. Slave cabins, or quarters, were typically separate one-room dwellings built specifically for enslaved people. These cabins would have been simple log structures like this one, often with dirt floors and minimal furnishings, serving as homes for entire families.
Slave quarters weren’t just places to sleep—they were spaces where enslaved people could resist the brutality of slavery by recreating a sense of community and family. Here, they could use their African names, prepare traditional foods, and continue musical traditions that carried stories of hope and freedom. These cultural practices were critical for maintaining a sense of identity and humanity in the face of enslavement.
At present, we don’t know exactly where enslaved people on this property lived. It’s possible that they slept in small cabins on the farm or even in the attic or cellar of the main house. While we haven’t yet found archaeological evidence of slave quarters on this site, ongoing research and advances in technology may help us locate them in the future.
We do know from archaeological studies that there were several outbuildings on this property, extending from the back of the log kitchen toward the hill overlooking the creek. There may have been buildings for laundry, a kitchen with a bake oven, and evidence suggests high-temperature areas that could have been used as a smokehouse or blacksmith’s forge. As we continue to learn more, we hope to uncover the full history of this property, including the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked here.
