Publications
House Proud
House Proud challenges the historical omission of Black-designed homes from architectural discourse, presenting a global compilation of residential spaces that span from prehistoric to contemporary periods. The work highlights the design culture of Africa and its diaspora, featuring notable examples such as the Tamberma Tatas of Togo and Benin, chattel homes in Barbados, the grandeur of Haiti's Palace of Sans Souci, and the New York retreat of Madam CJ Walker. Additionally, it includes contemporary Black British creatives like Yinka Shonibare and Reggie Yates, illustrating themes of heritage, innovation, resistance, and power. Through richly illustrated archival and modern imagery, the book serves as both an inspirational resource for professionals in architecture and design and a visual compendium of overlooked yet significant residential structures worldwide.
“Tenho que te contar que os monumentos de Milot significam muito para mim”: memórias de moradores de Milot acerca do Parc National Historique - Haiti
A study reveals a stark contrast between the national memory of Haiti's Parc National Historique and the lived experiences of its local inhabitants. While the state-sanctioned narrative emphasizes the monuments' significance to the Haitian Revolution, oral histories from Milot residents highlight ongoing colonial legacies and social inequalities. The research uses oral history methodology to uncover these divergent perspectives, offering a nuanced understanding of how heritage is both celebrated and contested in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
D efenders of L iberty : The Congos and the Question of African Agency in the Haitian Revolution
A critical re-evaluation of the Haitian Revolution reveals that African-led resistance, particularly by the 'Congos' under Sans-Souci, was pivotal to the revolution's continuity and ideological foundation. Despite post-revolution historiography favoring Creole and mixed-race leaders, this study highlights the agency and tactical prowess of African forces, who refused to capitulate to French forces in 1802. The research challenges dominant narratives by analyzing military strategies, political ideologies, and the long-term consequences of Sans-Souci's assassination, which marked a discursive shift that marginalized African contributions. The study employs archival analysis and historical discourse examination to uncover this overlooked dimension of revolutionary agency.
Managing a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a Post-colonial, Post-conflict and Post-disaster Destination. The Case of the Haitian National History Park
Despite its status as Haiti's sole UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Haitian National History Park—comprising the Citadel, Sans-Souci, and Ramiers—has failed to thrive as a tourist destination. This study identifies critical challenges in managing such sites within post-colonial, post-conflict, and post-disaster contexts, including lack of professionalism among tourism actors, leadership deficits, limited understanding of visitor needs, and Haiti's negative global image. While the focus is on cultural heritage, these findings offer broader implications for heritage management in similar environments.
Préserver pour transmettre et faire vivre : la Citadelle Laferrière, patrimoine de l'humanité, du roi Christophe aux Nations-Unies
La Citadelle Laferrière, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, stands as the most significant military monument in the Caribbean, both in scale and historical prominence. This study highlights its role as a unique site of memory for Haiti, the world's first Black republic, and underscores the challenges and successes of its preservation over time. Despite political instability, a collaborative effort led by local actors—including the Société haïtienne d'histoire et de géographie and Ispan—succeeded in preserving the citadel within a decade while establishing best practices for heritage transmission. The project not only secured the monument's future but also spurred similar initiatives, expanding research horizons across historical, natural, agronomic, economic, and sustainable development domains. This case demonstrates how effective patrimonial transmission can drive progressive prospects for both cultural preservation and societal development.
Sans-Soucis Site, Haiti Republic – A case study for a project of preservation, interpretation and highlighting of a worldwide heritage patrimony
A major seismic event in 1842 severely damaged the Sans-Soucis site, a historic palace and outbuildings in Haiti's National Historic Park, despite preservation efforts by ISPAN (Haiti Government) and UNESCO between 1979 and 1990. The site remains vulnerable due to ongoing deterioration, seismic hazards, unstable slopes, and geological anomalies. To address these challenges, the Haitian Government launched the PAST project, aiming to reinforce, restore, interpret, and highlight the monuments while balancing preservation with tourism development. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating geotechnical engineering, history, archaeology, and local social culture. This ensures solutions that respect the monument's integrity while involving the local population in their heritage's restoration.
Identidade, Estado-nação e patrimônio: o tombamento do Parc National Historique no Haiti (1940-1990)
Haiti's identity and national heritage, shaped by its revolutionary history as the world's first Black republic, are explored through an analysis of the preservation processes of its historical monuments between 1940 and 1990. The study reveals how the institutionalization and designation of these sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Parc National Historique – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers (PNH-CSSR), reflected the political significance of cultural heritage in post-independence Haiti. By examining the construction of these fortifications and the evolution of preservation policies, the research uncovers the foundations of Haitian national identity and the development of its cultural landscape, offering insights into the interplay between state formation, heritage conservation, and collective memory.
Mackenzie: Notes on Haiti
Charles Mackenzie, a British consul and fellow of the Royal Society, provided a nuanced account of Haiti's early republic, highlighting both the achievements and atrocities under the rule of King Henry Christophe. His observations, drawn from visits to key sites like Sans Souci and La Ferrière in 1827, revealed that while Christophe's governance fostered talent, education, infrastructure, and economic growth, it was marred by extreme cruelty. Mackenzie's critical yet balanced perspective offers valuable insights into the complex legacy of Haiti's first king, blending historical documentation with scientific inquiry.
Sovereignty after Slavery
Archaeological research at the Sans-Souci Palace, royal residence of King Henry Christophe in post-revolutionary Haiti, reveals how political authority was creatively constructed through a blend of European material culture and Afro-Caribbean traditions. This study highlights a constellation of material practices that contributed to an emerging ideology of sovereignty after slavery, offering new insights into the complex nature of political authority during the Age of Revolutions.
Architectural Remnants and Mythical Traces of the Haitian Revolution:
The architectural remnants of the Haitian Revolution, specifically the Citadelle Laferrière and Sans-Souci Palace, reveal mythical traces that encapsulate the dual narratives of enslaved insurgents and their colonizers. Built under King Henri Christophe's reign (1811–1820), these neoclassical structures lack documented architects or construction records, yet they symbolize the ephemeral condition of insurgency. Minosh argues that these edifices represent an attempt to solidify in architecture the political space forged by enslaved people outside colonial terms, while also reflecting the colonizer's fear of insurrection threatening France’s mercantile economy. The study employs literary and mythical traces to interpret these artifacts as architectural instantiations of revolutionary mythos, offering a unique lens on Haiti's first independent black nation.
In This Issue
This issue of the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians explores the mythical and architectural significance of Haiti's Citadelle Laferrière and Sans-Souci Palace, built during the reign of Henri Christophe, the first king of Haiti. Despite the lack of archival records, these neoclassical structures are analyzed as symbolic representations of insurgency and resistance against colonialism, embodying the ephemeral condition of rebellion. Additionally, the issue reexamines Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in St. Louis, revealing its role as a monument to the city's brewing industry and lager landscape, while also highlighting the integration of air-conditioning systems in Washington, D.C.'s classical architecture, which revolutionized comfort and efficiency in federal buildings. The Field Notes section reflects on Edward Said's Orientalism, marking its 40th anniversary and assessing its impact on architectural discourse.
The Children of Sans Souci, Dessalines/Toussaint, and Pétion
A new synthesis reveals how Haiti's nation-state emerged from the interplay of three distinct social groups: descendants of African slaves, Creole blacks, and mulatto elites. The study identifies two dominant systems shaping Haitian society—Catholic/Protestant capitalism driven by Creole and mulatto elites, and Vodou communitarianism sustained through the lakou system among African descendants. These opposing yet complementary ethos formed the foundation of Haiti's political and social structure. The research employs historical analysis to trace recursive patterns of integration, offering a framework for understanding Haiti's enduring cultural and economic divides.
New Light from Haiti's Royal Past: Recent Archaeological Excavations in the Palace of Sans-Souci, Milot
Recent archaeological excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sans-Souci, Haiti, have revealed new insights into the architectural chronology and material life of the Kingdom of Haiti during Henry Christophe's reign. Using a multidimensional approach that includes 3-D modeling, ground-penetrating radar, and targeted excavation, the Milot Archaeological Project (MAP) has uncovered evidence of the palace's historical significance and its role in regional and long-distance economic networks. These findings challenge the limited historical record and provide a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in Haitian history.
Revolution at the Crossroads: Re- Framing the Haitian Revolution from the Heights of Platons
A re-examination of the Haitian Revolution reveals its roots in the covert struggles and vibrant political traditions of enslaved people, challenging conventional narratives that focus solely on military leaders. The study highlights how spiritual practices, provision grounds, marronage, and market networks were pivotal in constructing resistance and social meaning, rather than viewing the revolution as a singular event. By analyzing a revolt around Les Cayes using rich archival sources, including seized mailbags, the research provides unprecedented insights into the mobilization of enslaved people's political power during this formative period.
Haiti’s Prized Presidential Legacies
Haiti's Prized Presidential Legacies challenges the pervasive narrative of systemic corruption among Haitian presidents, highlighting seven notable leaders whose achievements have been overlooked. These include Henry Christophe, known for establishing a monarchy and constructing the Citadelle fortress and Sans-Souci palace; Boyer, who unified Haiti; Geffrard, the 'Redeemer of the Republic'; Salomon, leader of the Black National Party; Hyppolite, celebrated for his distinctive style; and the 1946 Revolution led by Estimé and Magloire's military leadership that paved the way to Haiti's 'Golden Age.' The study underscores their lasting significance in shaping Haitian history, despite being marginalized in historiographies. It employs a critical review of historical accounts and primary sources to re-evaluate these leaders' legacies, offering a nuanced perspective on Haiti's political evolution.
The Citadel, Palace of Sans Souci, Ramiers: Three Monuments, One Symbol of Freedom
Haiti's National History Park, comprising the Citadel, Palace of Sans Souci, and Ramiers, stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and national identity. This study highlights heritage as a cornerstone for the re-founding of the nation, blending personal anecdotes with historical analysis. The research draws on vivid narratives from Haiti's founding era to emphasize the monuments' significance in shaping modern Haitian society. By positioning heritage at the center of national reconstruction, the work offers a unique perspective on how cultural landmarks can influence contemporary identity and development.
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