For years, our family has embraced the freedom of the open road, not just as full-time RVers, but as full-time historical explorers. Our journey has never been limited to iconic landmarks; instead, we've always sought the off-road connections—the churches, the communities, and the often-overlooked homes that tell the true story of the African American experience in this country.
The Road Less Traveled: Continuing Our Family's RV Quest
This quest is about more than sightseeing; it's about reclaiming our heritage. We travel to find the forgotten stories and lessons that define our contribution as a family and as a people. Every mile brings us closer to understanding the enduring strength woven into the fabric of American life.
Each destination we choose carries the weight of intention. We're not chasing tourist attractions—we're chasing truth. We're following the breadcrumbs of resilience left by those who came before us, understanding that their battles for dignity and belonging directly paved the way for our freedom to roam.
Concord's Quiet Revelation: The Robbins House
Our travels eventually brought us to Concord, Massachusetts, a town synonymous with the birth of American liberty. While many visitors focus on the famous battlegrounds, our attention was drawn to a different kind of monument: the Robbins House.
Tucked near the Minute Man National Historical Park, this weathered, enduring saltbox was home to the Robbins family, one of the earliest free African American families to own land in Concord. Their story is a powerful continuation of the narrative we seek across the country: that of persistence, civic participation, and building a life in the shadow of great adversity.
Here were free Black citizens, navigating a new nation, asserting their right to belong. The Robbins family didn't just survive—they owned property, participated in the community, and created a legacy that would endure for generations.
As we sat on the bench outside, taking in the quiet dignity of the house, it felt like a conversation across generations.
The Robbins family's enduring presence in a place so foundational to American democracy offered a potent confirmation of our travel philosophy: African American history is America's most essential history.
The Echo of Endurance: The Nana Bell
Standing sentinel outside the Robbins House is the large Nana Bell. While not directly connected to the Robbins family, its presence adds a layer of depth to the site. The bell is named for the enslaved woman Nana and historically served to call enslaved people to prayer.
Seeing the house—a symbol of established freedom and property—juxtaposed with the bell—an echo of enslavement and survival—created a deeply moving moment. It was a tangible illustration of the historical duality we encounter constantly: the fight for freedom occurring alongside the persistence of oppression.
It underscored the magnitude of what the Robbins family, and countless others, achieved just by existing and thriving. Their success wasn't guaranteed—it was fought for, claimed, and defended every single day.
Our Realization
This stop didn't start our journey, but it fundamentally deepened it. It reminded us that the greatest inspiration often comes from the quiet, persistent courage of ordinary people who paved the way for our freedom to roam.
The Robbins House isn't grand or monumental in the traditional sense. It's modest, weathered, and easily overlooked. But that's precisely what makes it powerful. It represents everyday resilience—the kind that built families, communities, and ultimately, a nation.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Trip
- Embrace the "off roads": Prioritize smaller, local sites that may hold the most intimate African American histories.
- Connect the past to the present: Use these historical sites as springboards for conversations about contemporary issues and contributions.
- Support preservation: Your visits help keep these vital, overlooked stories accessible for future generations.
- Take time to reflect: Don't rush through these sites. Sit, observe, and let the history speak to you.
- Bring the whole family: These experiences create powerful teaching moments for children and adults alike.
Continuing Our Contribution
The experience in Concord reinforced our commitment to our RV life and our mission. Our travels are not just about finding history; they are about infusing that history into our own narrative, ensuring our children understand the profound legacy of resilience they carry.
Every site we visit becomes part of our family's story. We're not passive observers of history—we're active participants in keeping these stories alive. Through our blog, our social media, and our conversations with other travelers, we're helping to ensure that places like the Robbins House don't fade into obscurity.
The Robbins House reminds us that our family's contribution today—exploring, documenting, and sharing these truths—is the current chapter in a long, unbroken lineage of African Americans building, asserting, and belonging in this country.
Our RV remains our mobile monument and our rolling classroom, carrying us from one sacred site to the next, connecting the dots of our shared history.
Join the Conversation
What piece of local history has unexpectedly transformed your perspective recently? Share your discovery in the comments!
