Finding Freedom in the Swamp

The Great Dismal Swamp is a vast area straddling the border of eastern Virginia and North Carolina. An unforgiving environment, it played an important role in the history of slavery in the United States. Runaway slaves are believed to have lived in the Dismal Swamp, creating their own independent societies prior to the Civil War. For historian Eric Sheppard, the area holds a personal history. Like many others, his ancestor, Moses Grandy, is believed to have found refuge in the swamp. As more history comes to light in recent times, the lost stories of these brave survivors are finally being told.

Director: Mark Boyer | Supervising Producer: Sadie Bass | Senior Producer: Ingela Travers-Hayward | Editor: Mark Boyer