PHILADELPHIA -- First Lady Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech energized the crowd Monday evening. Statements made throughout the short speech have lingered into Tuesday morning.
One statement in particular is sparking debate.
"I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves."
The first family lives in the White House like every presidential family before them. So, did slaves build the White House. The house that was built in the 1700s? Yes, they helped.
The White House Historical Association is a private group that, among other tasks, mines the National Archives for facts about the White House.
They have a page dedicated to answering the question of slaves' role in building the White House.
The article reads, "they (builders) turned to African American—enslaved and free—to provide the bulk of labor that built the White House, the United States Capitol, and other early government buildings."
Enslaved African Americans did not build what was called the President's home alone. Local laborers, freed men and international craftsmen also helped build all of the buildings that made up the Capitol.
A payroll document from the national archives shows payments made to slave owners. See, here.
