The most intriguing part of this field trip was seeing the hanging tree from Lumpkins Jail.  In history class, you hear about hangings and cartoons of them in textbooks.  Although saddening, we’re either desensitized to it or just don’t take into perspective how terrible this act of execution really was.  The fact that I was standing right next to a tree responsible for hundreds of deaths was very gut wrenching.  It’s even worse to think about when you consider hanging being known as the most cruel/painful form of death at the time it was done. Going on this field trip and seeing the hanging tree connects straight back to Campbells book, Richmond Unhealed History.  Everywhere you go, even if its just passing a tree can tell an entire story about the lives of those oppressed, the oppressors and the history of the city itself.