Providence Island

Providence Island is one of the most important sites in the history of the African Diaspora and for the narrative of Liberia’s founding. Nestled between the Mesurado and Du Rivers, the tiny 11.22-acre island hosted the first 88 African American arrivals in 1822 as they negotiated with native Liberians to stake their claim to what would become their new colony. The island, once home to public concerts, festivals, and events, is now protected by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

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While the remnants of a few stone foundations are visible along the eastern side of the island, there is little indication of how settlers made use of the island upon their arrival or in subsequent decades before expanding their holdings to mainland Monrovia.

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In 2019, we began using a drone to photographically capture the landscape to construct a three-dimensional rendering of the space. This work was done in concert with the Minister’s office and the National Museum of Liberia to document, protect, and generate tourist interest in the site. 

Providence Island in Liberia is a historically significant site. It was the location of the first successful settlement of freed American slaves by the American Colonization Society in 1822. This island, also known as Perseverance or Dozoa Island, is situated near the mouth of the Mesurado River, just north of Monrovia’s city center.
Providence Island has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical importance¹. It served as a place of arrival for freed slaves and also as a departure point for those who were forcibly taken during the transatlantic slave trade². Today, it stands as a symbol of reconciliation and peace, featuring landmarks like the 250-year-old Cotton Tree and a metal tree symbolizing freedom