Watkins said preserving most of the property and the plans for a new museum will help the county and historians tell the stories of people — including enslaved laborers — who lived there for generations.

“I think it’s especially important right now as Americans are grappling with our early history and about the narratives we’ve grown up with to make sure we can strip that down and find what’s honest, true and what’s really representative of our history,” she said.

County Manager John Vithoulkas said the idea for acquiring the property came up in recent discussions he had with HHHunt officials about potential sites for the county museum. He said the natural features, as well as the legacy of the site and its proximity to state Route 895, is ideal.

“What I think it does is provide an opportunity for public use and economic development on 895, which is an underutilized asset,” Vithoulkas said in an interview before Wednesday’s press conference. “It checks a lot of boxes, but it’s pretty forward looking.”

Several residents who live near the site and attended Wednesday’s news conference said they are pleased with the county’s plans for the site.