The house that unlocked a family's history

Updated on: September 6, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News

The house that unlocked a family's history

TL;DR

  • Fred Miller purchased a historic white, Gothic Revival-style house with a green roof in southern Virginia.
  • The house, named Sharswood, was built in the 1850s by slave owners who shared Miller's last name.
  • Miller's sister and cousins conducted research, uncovering documents that proved their ancestors were enslaved at Sharswood.
  • The family discovered the likely location of the slave cemetery on the property.
  • Following the 60 Minutes story, Fred Miller established the Sharswood foundation to maintain the slave quarters and cemetery and offers tours.