Mid-Hudson Antislavery History - Recently Updated Pages

Upcoming Events

Stefan845 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:41:58 CDT

BIG upcoming events! Please join us!

Our line-up of events on September 12, 2009, is now complete. These events will be part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, the Hudson Heritage Weekend, and the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial.

The day will begin with this event, sponsored by the Black History Committee of the Dutchess County Historical Society--participation is limited so please call the number listed to reserve your spot!

African American Cemeteries Tour. This informative day begins with a continental breakfast hosted by the First Congregational Church and a demonstration of gravestone-rubbing techniques.Then board a mini-bus to tour African-American cemeteries throughout Dutchess County. Limit 26 people. Cost $20. Sponsored by the Black History Committee, Dutchess County Historical Society. Sat. 9/12, 8:30-1. Rt. 9 north or south to Rt. 44/55 east exit; stay in left lane for 2 blocks to L turn onto Academy St. for 3 blocks to L on Mill St. to First Congregational Church on left. I-87 (NYS Thruway) to Exit 18 (New Paltz); R onto Rt. 299 east to R onto Rt. 9W to Rt. 44/55 east exit to Mid-Hudson Bridge (toll); stay in left hand lane on Rt. 44/55 east and follow directions above. Pre-register: (845) 454-1960.

The Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project will follow this with two events at the same location (First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ, 269 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie)

2:30 to 3:30 PM: Reception and Book Signing. Join Clyde Griffen, who with Harvey K. Flad is the co-author of "Main Street to Mainframes: Landscape and Social Change in Poughkeepsie", just published by SUNY Press (for more information see http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=61818 ). Books will be available for purchase. Meet the author and learn about Poughkeepsie's history!

4 PM: "Until the Whole Broad Earth Be Freed': Mid-Hudson Antislavery History in Words and Song": a program of music and historical readings on the history of slavery and abolitionism in our community; featuring members of the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project and the Dutchess Antislavery Singers (free and open to the public; suggested donation $5 per person) The following events, which will wrap up the day, are sponsored by First Congregational Church/United Church of Christ, Poughkeepsie 5 PM: Official Dedication of First Congregational Church as a designated site on the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail; unveiling of the new historical marker. (free and open to the public).

5:45 PM: Hudson Valley Harvest Buffet, a home-cooked church supper with fresh local ingredients, hosted by First Congregational Church/UCC in the fellowship hall. (Buffet price TBA; reservations to be made through the church office through Sept. 9; 454-2960 or fccoffice@gmail.com )

Announcements

Stefan845 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:56:36 CDT

The next meeting for the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project will be held on Monday, August 10 at 7 pm, with special emphasis on final schedule details and publicity and press work for the September 12 event. This will be at our regular meeting place, the front parlor at First Congregational.

We also have the following additional meetings lined up, between now and September 12:

Sunday, August 30, 4:30 to 6 pm, FCC: read-through of the entire 4 pm program, with both actors and as many Singers as can attend

Monday, August 31, 7 to 9 pm, FCC: final coordinating/planning meeting for all events on September 12; further work on research guide if possible

Friday, September 11, 7 to 9 pm, FCC: dress rehearsal for all those in the 4 pm program the following day.

Documents

RebeccaEdwrds — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:46:55 CDT

SCRIPT OUTLINE
"'Until the Whole Broad Earth Be Freed': Mid-Hudson Antislavery History, Presented in Words and Song"

Characters:
James Hervey Dudley (David Greenwood)
a lady of Poughkeepsie, reading a brief excerpt from Sojourner Truth's narrative
(Lorraine Roberts)
a gentleman of Poughkeepsie, reading a brief excerpt from Samuel Ringgold
Ward's narrative (Stefan Stanley)
Deborah Willetts (Nan Greenwood)
David Irish (Ken Moody)
Uriah Boston, Poughkeepsie barber (Dan Jones)

Dutchess Antislavery Singers (Ashley Alter, Shanna Andrawis, Rebecca Edwards, John
McCleary, Jim Mandracchia, Catherine Monian, Linda Riedeburg)

Ushers: Mary Bagley, Verna Carr, Jacqueline Harper, Anita Jones, Lorraine Roberts

Setting: July 13, 1863, late afternoon after the first day of draft riots in New York City--news has just come in over the wires; members of the Catherine Street AME Zion Church are seeking volunteers, tonight, men who will arm themselves and help guard the church building against mobs that are expected to swarm the streets in response to the New York protests. Emancipation Proclamation has been in effect since January 1, but the war is not yet won; news of the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg (July 4) were received last week.

Opening music: "I Am an Abolitionist" (tenor solo with chorus--John McCleary)

Dudley introduces himself and the historical moment and proposes, at this historic juncture, to review the rise of antislavery in this part of the Hudson Valley, to reaffirm the antislavery doctrine and gather determination at this critical moment in the fight for freedom. He notes that the beginning of the story was this: there was slavery here in New York, until the late 1820s.

A lady of Poughkeepsie reads a brief excerpt from the narrative of Sojourner Truth (who is now in Washington, DC, aiding the Union cause, the soldiers' hospitals, and refugees from the South).

Music (solo): "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (solo--Jim Mandracchia)

Dudley: Many sought freedom through the Underground Railroad (a few words on that). After slavery ended in New York, there were residents of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County who fled from the South and settled here. Among them was Samuel Ringgold Ward, an outspoken leader who spoke to the conscience of this community. (Dudley notes that Ward moved to Jamaica, embittered by the failure of America to end slavery, and unfortunately died there a few years ago.)
A gentleman of Poughkeepsie reads a brief excerpt from the narrative of Samuel Ringgold Ward, about his escape from the South and the conditions he found in the North.

Music: "America: A Parody" (Dutchess Antislavery Singers)

Dudley: Quakers were among the first to support the UGRR. Introduces Willets and Irish.
Deborah Willets offers brief words on her work at the Nine Partners School
David Irish reads an excerpt from one of his letters to the Liberator
Music: "Come, Come Away" (Soprano/Alto duet: Shanna Andrawis and Ashley Alter)
Dudley briefly narrates the rise of political abolition, the emerging issue of women's role in the movement (mentioning Angelina Grimke's speech in Poughkeepsie) and the turn toward party politics (Liberty Party, Free Soil); with leadership from Samuel Ringgold Ward and many others, most Dutchess abolitionists took the political tack: "We Support No Man Who Votes Against Freedom."
Music: "Get Off the Track!" (NOTE: We may need to say a few words about politics so the audience can make sense of the references to Clay, Polk, etc. Maybe one of the Singers can say a few words, drawing from our Schenectady script.)
Dudley briefly narratives the coming of the war and Emancipation; introduces Uriah Boston and discusses the broader struggle for education, suffrage, and civil rights that has been going on for decades in black communities in the North.
Uriah Boston: excerpt from his letter on black suffrage, from the Colored American
[IF we have any quotes from one of the 16 FCC men--mostly abolitionists--who served in the Civil War, or more information about them, that would be a perfect ending. A bit more digging in church records might yield something. Dudley could end with this information, and a call to continue the fight to the end--supporting our brave boys in blue; helping refugees from slavery; and pushing the Republican Party in its resolve to ensure victory, Emancipation, and rights for the freedmen.]
Concluding Music: "The President's Proclamation" (John Brown's Body) with the whole audience joining in the last verse

Links

RachelPittenger — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:45:44 CST

http://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/antislavery.php

Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Home

RebeccaEdwrds — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:49:59 CDT

The Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project (MHAHP) was formed in 2006 to research the history of antislavery in the
Mid-Hudson Valley, with emphasis on the Underground Railroad; to interpret this history and share these interpretations with a wide array of residents and visitors, in particular, students and youth; and to place this history in the contexts of racial slavery in the New World, the African-American experience, and the legacies of antislavery today, including the impact of this historic grassroots movement on subsequent struggles for racial and social justice.

We welcome participants and supporters of all backgrounds to join us! Our main website resides at the Hudson River Valley Institute; our research reports and other information can be found there. The purpose of this site is to foster communication within our group, and let newcomers know about our news, plans, and events. Our meetings are open to all, and this site is open to anyone who wishes to explore our work or join our group.