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Events
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UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CONFERENCE, ALBANY, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 28, 2004
The following information was sent in by Paul Stewart [[email protected]
]. Full details about the conference and
registration information can be found at www.ugrworkshop.com/
This is one
of the most ambitious conferences on the Underground Railroad. Even if you
are unable to attend, I recommend that you look over sessions and workshops
offerings listed in the conference program which shows the breadth and
depth of current interest and research in the Underground Railroad.
Paul writes: "The conference will feature Risa Faussette, Assistant
Professor of History at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Her topic
will be 'African American Freedom Seekers and the Quest for Liberty.' Ms.
Faussette received her Ph.D. in history from State University of New York
at Binghamton. She has taught and spoken on the Abolition movement and the
Underground Railroad and will provide her observations on this history and
its relevance for today.
"The program is sponsored by the Underground Railroad History Project of the
Capital Region and co-sponsored by a variety of organizations including the
College of Saint Rose, the NAACP-Albany Branch, the African American
Research Foundation, the Albany County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the
City of Albany, the Albany Housing Authority, One Hundred Black Men of
Albany Capital District, Historic Albany Foundation, and a host of other
organizations. The Underground Railroad History Project is a non-profit
organization dedicated to researching and telling the Capital Region of New
York's story of participation in the Underground Railroad.
"The program will feature more than 25 workshops with speakers ranging from
Len Tantillo, a prominent area artist, to women who utilize the Troy YWCA
shelter who will reflect on living in proximity to the site of Harriet
Tubman's rescue in 1860 of freedom seeker Charles Nalle. Music
professionals such as Antonia Brown will assist in providing music for the
program. The Underground Railroad Players will provide a theatrical
interpretation of Underground Railroad History with a play based on actual
freedom seekers who came through Albany.
"The Conference registration fee is $15 and lunch is $10 additional. Those
wishing lunch must register before February 23rd. Those interested should
get a registration form off the web site or write: conference at URHPCR
with your name and address and a request to receive materials about the
conference. A registration form can also be emailed to you in Word format
by emailing:
[email protected]."
You may also reach the Underground Railroad History project through
518-432-4432.
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION CALLS THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
NETWORK TO FREEDOM PROGRAM ENDANGERED
In a press release dated January 14, 2004, the National Parks Conservation
Association included the National Park Service's "Underground Railroad
Network to Freedom" program as one of the United State's "ten most
endangered national parks." According to the NPCA, "Without
adequate funding, the program is losing the opportunity and ability to
create a comprehensive collection of sites, stories, and artifacts,
depriving future generations of perhaps the best illustrations of an
important aspect of American history."
To see the press release and for additional background from the perspective
of the NPCA, go to the National Parks Conservation Association website
http://www.npca.org/
and click on "take action."
Christopher Densmore, January 13, 2004
Friends Historical Library
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