Workshops - Session 1 (10:30 AM - 11:20 AM)

1.1) Ona Judge’s Escape from President Washington’s Philadelphia Home, 1796
Anna Coxey Toogood, NPS historian (G)

Oney, or Ona, Judge served as a personal maid to Martha Washington beginning at age 10. In 1790 she came with the family to Philadelphia as part of the presidential household. In 1796 she successfully escaped to New Hampshire. Listen to her moving story of courage and fortitude.

1.2) The Underground Railroad Through a Slave Girl’s Eyes
Mayeesa Mitchell, student (G)

The UGR comes alive through the historical fiction character Addy, who, as a slave girl, uses the UGR with her mother to escape their cruel enslaver. Discussion will focus on Addy’s life during the UGR and Civil War period.

1.3) Who Can I Trust?
Maude Baum, Director, eba (G)

Participate in a theatrical experience which will help you better understand the plight of people escaping enslavement for the promise of freedom. No experience necessary. Loose fitting clothing helpful.

1.4) Excerpts from “That Sweet Taste of Freedom”
Marie Kent Parsons, former Sandy Creek Town Historian (G)

Former slave, Henry Roberts, who spent almost the last half of his life in New York’s North Country, is brought to life in this historical fiction account that will be shared through excerpts from a full length script. Extensive reading of narratives of those who were enslaved have informed the story’s development.

1.5) How to Claim Your Inheritance: Honor Roll Creation
Joyce Lee Slater-Williams, teacher, illustrator, poet (G)

Methods used to create Honor Rolls on display will be discussed, and participants will be encouraged to start their own family legacy. A list of known names, cultural symbols, possible themes, and ideas for a central motif will be completed.

1.6) Following the UGR Trail: Discovering, Researching, and Retelling the Real Stories of Freedom Seekers Who Fled Through Your Communities
Kate Clifford Larson, Ph.D., Simmons College (A)

UGR research can be difficult and frustrating, but aggressive investigations into the lives of individual freedom seekers can bring enormous rewards. Locating those freedom seekers and their stories can reveal information about local and regional UGR networks and the deeply personal stories that littered the UGR landscape. Learn about the multitude of resources and pathways available to researchers, both in the north and the south, to uncover UGR histories.

1.7) The John Thomas Story
Don Papson, North Country UGR Historical Association (A)

Learn about the inspiring story of John Thomas who escaped from enslavement in Maryland and became a respected citizen of Franklin County, New York. Today, two of Mr. Thomas’ great, great grandsons live in the Adirondacks. They are the first descendents of a freedom seeker to be positively identified in the North Country.

1.8) Lydia & Abigail Mott: Quiet Reformers, Powerful Voices
Rebecca Rector, Professional Genealogist/Librarian (A)

Lydia and Abigail Mott’s Albany home was a stop on the UGR and a haven to many other reformers. Strong connections within their extended Quaker community enabled them to become effective reform leaders alongside Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and cousin Lucretia Mott.

1.9) UGR, Abolitionism, & African American Life in Seneca County, 1820-1880
Walter Gable, Seneca County Historian (A)

Completion of a year-long study in Seneca Falls has contributed new insights to our understanding of the UGR, abolitionism, and African American life. The intertwining of the antislavery and women's rights movement, as well as the activism of European and African American women, will be highlighted.

1.10) From the UGR to Women’s Rights: Historic Sites in Central NY
Judy Wellman, Ph.D., Emeritus, SUNY Oswego (A)

Nationally, abolitionism provided one of the most important roots of the early women’s rights movement. In central NY, a survey of sites relating to African Americans and European Americans involved with the UGR suggests powerful connections between the UGR and early women’s rights movement.

1.11) From Fenda Lawrence to Callie House: Women’s Choices Regarding Enslavement
Jacqui Williams, Founding Director, Filling in the Gaps in American History (FIGAH) (A)

Several women of African descent reflect experiences and reactions to enslavement that are often not mentioned. Come hear about a number of women and the choices they made during and regarding enslavement. Questions of property, commerce, application of laws, and survival skills will be addressed.

1.12) Blacks & the Penal System: the Need for a 21st c. UGR Movement
A.J. Williams-Myers, Ph.D., SUNY New Paltz (A)

Examine who, why, and for how long Blacks are jailed in US prisons. Given the disproportionate rate on incarceration, Blacks find themselves in a modern day slave situation. There is the need to develop a movement of conscience that resurrects the energy, commitment, and moral will of the UGR of the 19th c.

1.13) Preservation and Transmission of Heritage by Two Contemporaries
Ms. Lugenia Gordon, The Freedom Republcans; Ms. Rosalie Pasant, Founder, Gullah Festival (A)

Ms. Gordon and Ms. Pasant have devoted their lives to the preservation and transmission of history and heritage. An explanation of each woman’s role within her organization and the history of each organization’s contributions to preserving and transmitting history and heritage will be discussed.



Workshops - Session 2 (1:30 PM - 2:20 PM)

2.1) Yours for Humanity... Abby
Lynne McKenney Lydick, Worcester Women’s Project (G)
 
Through an inspiring one-woman play based on the letters and speeches of Abby Kelley Foster, travel back to 1854 and enter Abbey’s world– a tumultuous time when social and political differences divided our country. Hear Abby’s emotionally powerful orations against slavery and prejudice, which changed the hearts of many.

2.2) Feel the Rhythm
Greg Mosley, Music Artist, Operation Unite Education & Cultural Arts Ctr. (G)

Introduction to African instruments - drum, bell, and shaker, in a drum circle format. Bring an instrument or share one of ours.

2.3) Follow the Drinking Gourd: A Cultural History
Joel Bresler, independent researcher (G)

As the best known UGR song, first published in 1928, Follow the Drinking Gourd supposedly encodes escape instructions and a map from Mobile, Alabama to the Ohio River. The song’s origin and rich cultural impact will be discussed, along with an analysis of the song as history or fiction and its contemporary interpretations and adaptations.

2.4) Vestiges of Enslavement and Impact on Social Policy in NYS
Alice Green, Ex. Dir., Ctr. for Law and Justice (A)

Several state and criminal justice practices have their origins in the periods of chattel slavery and Reconstruction in America. Attention will be given specifically to felon disenfranchisement, the manner in which prisoners are counted by the Federal Census, and the adverse impact both have on African Americans and their communities.

2.5) Freedom Aprons
Vanessa Johnson, Community Educator (A)

Women’s documents, narratives, and stories from the UGR period will reflect the experiences of northern and southern women, of African Americans and White, of Freedom Seekers and Free Blacks, of Abolitionists and Slavers.

2.7) The Life of Edmonia Lewis, Artist
Trent Graham, Black Dimensions in Art, Inc. (A)

The life and works of Edmonia Lewis, both in New York State and Italy, will be examined. Her travels, college years, and discrimination faced by her, as an African American woman and artist, will be discussed.

2.8) John Brown and the UGR
Brendan Mills, John Brown Historical Site (A)

John Brown is a well-known figure in UGR history. His attempt to expand the Underground Railroad with a plan he dubbed the “Subterranean Pass Way” will be highlighted.

2.9) Her Family Left Behind: Mary Walker and the Price of Freedom
Sydney Nathans, Ph.D., Duke Univ. (A)

In 1848, Mary Walker of North Carolina escaped enslavement but left her family behind. For years thereafter, suffering a breakdown but continuing her efforts, she used UGR intermediaries to recover her children and her mother. In so doing, the workings of a “reverse” UGR were revealed. Her story gives voice to the struggle and psychic cost for a woman who could never truly “get away” until she achieved her family’s freedom.

2.10) The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence: How Did We Get Here?
Paul Stewart, co-founder, URHPCR; Tony Opalka, Historic Preservationist, New York State OPRHP (A)

The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, a historically documented UGR site in Albany, NY was a hidden treasure until two years ago. Documenting this historic site was confusing and time consuming, not to mention frustrating. Learn about steps in the process of documenting a historic site that you can apply to your own community through the sharing of experiences of two researchers who have traveled that road.



Workshops - Session 3 (2:30 PM - 3:20 PM)

3.1) Kitty Payne’s Pain
Debra Sandoe McCauslin, Board of Directors, Historic Gettysburg/Adams County, Inc. (G)

Kitty Paine and her children were manumitted in 1843, only to be kidnapped back into enslavement in 1845. Their freedom was obtained through escape to Pennsylvania. The inspiring story of Kitty Paine’s courage and fortitude, and that of her children, will be shared.

3.2) African Movement
Elena Mosley, Dance Artist, Operation Unite Education and Cultural Arts Ctr. (G)

Experience movement inspired by traditional African dances and rhythms. Loose fitting clothing and bare feet are necessary.

3.3) Get on Board! Songs of the UGR and Civil Rights Movements
Kim and Reggie Harris, musicians/educators (G)

In celebration of their new CD release, musician/educators Kim and Reggie Harris bring music from two great movements for freedom to this participatory workshop. From singing spirituals and code songs of the ‘Freedom Train’ to exploring traditions, updated for use during the modern Civil Rights Movement, this workshop will also include strategies for song leading and activities for classroom use.

3.4) Black America’s Contributions to Traditional American Music and Dance
Earl White, master fiddler (G)

Be enchanted by fiddle music from Appalachia. Learn about Black America’s contributions to the development of traditional American music and dance. Enjoy a demonstration of and receive instruction in the historic style of dance known as clogging. Experience history through its music and dance.

3.5) Local Landscapes and the UGR
Cheryl LaRoche, Ph.D., University of Maryland, University College (A)

This workshop will help in the study, location, and analysis of Black families living in community and their involvement with the UGR. Participants will learn strategies for looking at the overall geography, cemeteries, topography, and other important but overlooked landscape based factors that involved African Americans and contributed to the overall success of the UGR. Participants should come prepared to talk about their sites and their research challenges.

3.6) Abby Kelley Foster and Her Friends Pauline & Lizzie
Mary Ellen Urtz, independent researcher (A)

Important, but often forgotten, are these three leaders in the abolition and women’s rights movements. Letters and documents are used that allow these women’s voices to reveal their friendships, marital relationships, devotion to human rights activism, and the criticism they endured as anti-slavery lecturers.

3.7) Heirs and Contemporaries
Billie Luisi-Potts, Director, National Women’s Hall of Fame (A)

Heirs and contemporaries of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman carried on the civil rights activism of these two great women into the 20th century. Women such as Mary Ann Shadd, Elizabeth Piper Endey, Mary Burnett Talbert, and others, will be highlighted. This workshop will discuss the bridge generation that connected the UGR activists with the foremothers of the 20th century Civil Rights struggle.

3.8) Greatly Through the Work of the Women: Women at the Liberty Street Presbyterian Church
Maren Stein, Ph.D., Emeritus, The Sage Colleges; Steve Tyson, Ph.D., Siena College (A)

The Female Benevolent Society at the Liberty Street Presbyterian Church was the first of several women’s organizations at the church which were crucial to its work, including UGR and abolitionist activities. This presentation will highlight what is known about these organizations, and the women who participated in them, in both the 19th and 20th centuries.

3.9) Crossing Point Tour
Lezlie Harper Wells, Niagara Bound Tours (A)

A Canadian descendent of a fugitive will deliver a slide presentation of sites in the Niagara region of Ontario. Sites include the church of Harriet Tubman, the grave of Anthony Burns, and the site where Josiah Henson first felt freedom in Canada.

 

Panel Sessions

Panel sessions will run concurrently with workshops 2 and 3. Conference participants may choose to either join a panel session or attend offerings in workshops 2 and 3.

P-1) Keeping Home and UGR Station Together
Dr. David Anderson, Director, Akwaaba: the Heritage Associates; Cordell Reaves, Coordinator, UGR Heritage Trail, Heritage NY Program (G)

The towering heroics of Frederick Douglass conceal Anna Murray Douglass’s role in the making of the ‘Lion’. Recollections and imaginings of the Douglass children, et al, illuminate qualities in this private, but significant, figure linked to the very public anti-slavery and human rights leader. Following each of several vignettes, audience feedback will be sought. Commentary on the characters and educational value of the method of presentation will be invited.

P-2) The Antebellum Black Freedom Struggle: Troy, Albany, and Beyond
Eileen Horenburger, Jennifer Safford, Hilary Handin, Ariel Collins, Lisa DiBella , Russell Sage College and Union College (G)

Presentations by college students from the Capital Region will explore several crowd actions in relation to the Black freedom struggle in antebellum Troy; women’s contributions to the Albany UGR movement; the relationship of women and children to the UGR in Troy; and, a study of fact, fiction, and representations of the UGR in children’s books.

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Design Elements (c) 2000 Stylish Webs
Textual Content (c) 2000 Paul Stewart