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Verdict for History on Trial: Guilty of providing real lessons

A nearly 170-year-old court case made its way into a local courtroom for trial this week, not the work of a very slow-moving justice system but a creative way to share local history with the public.

The mock trial examined a real case from 1849 regarding the Fugitive Slave Act and whether a local landowner should be reimbursed for the loss of slaves freed by another local man. It was held as part of a new “History on Trial” series from The Castle in Marietta.

Area attorneys and judges played the roles in the court and about 75 people in attendance got to be the jury.

The goal is to have such a trial once a year and we hope it happens at least that often.

The trial is a lively, interactive way to teach about events and people in the past who lived right where we do today.

Some of the children in the audience on Monday were shocked by the treatment of and legislation regarding slaves at that time. It’s important that they know the history and this is a great addition to what they learn at school.

We imagine that the trial was fun for the participants, who really seemed to relish their historic roles. The audience was entertained and informed, getting a unique peek into the past.

Our only suggestion for next time is to perhaps give the participants costumes so that the audience can be completely immersed in the show.

Otherwise, we think this series is a great addition and something we look forward to seeing again and again.

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