Faces of the Past

The inhabitants of the Octagon House were as diverse as its architecture. Records of the Thomas family contrast sharply with those of the enslaved individuals who built and maintained the antebellum mansion. Ongoing research aims to identify, commemorate, and honor the laborers involved in its construction and upkeep. The Octagon House is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of individuals whose only remaining legacy may be the fingerprints etched into the handmade bricks of the mansion's walls. See photo gallery below for more faces.