Underground Railroad Education Center

Known Regional Stories of the Underground Railroad
2024-12-05 06:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Troy Bennington, Robinson and Rokeby, Charles Marriott, Quaker Street, Shakers – join with Paul Stewart to learn more about about the Underground Railroad from the stories and experiences of those who lived it.
This is one of a series of 26 presentations funded by a grant from New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). All presentations will be conducted in person at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. Presentations are free of charge.
Underground Railroad Education Center’s Storytelling and the UGRR is made possible by funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

December Dash is here, again! Won't you join us as we then ...
2024-12-01 - 2024-12-31 | Underground Railroad Education Center, 194 LIvingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210
December Dash is here, again!
Won’t you join us as we then
Gather together, one and all,
Responding to this annual call
Through donations of time, talent, treasure,
And with pleasure
Demonstrate our support for Underground Railroad Education Center.
Many have throughout 2024 donated generously to UREC, toward special programs, toward the Interpretive Center, toward regularly occurring programs, and toward general operations.To you we say a grand THANK YOU !!!
We have made it this far because of you and your willingness to walk with us. Let us move forward together with joy and forbearance as we work together today to ensure an equitable and just tomorrow.
With the changes we anticipate facing us as we enter into the new year, we ask you to consider digging deeper into your treasure this December Dash so as to ensure the sustainability of UREC’s impactful work

“In our increasingly polarized society, the symbol of the 19th century Underground Railroad movement and its abolition activists challenge us to publicly reflect and act upon the legacy of the institution of slavery in our contemporary times.” – P. Stewart
DONATE TODAY – at https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/donate/ or postal mail a paper check to UREC, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY 12210

The Underground Railroad Revisited - with Princetown Seniors
2024-11-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | South Schenectady Fire Department, 6 Old Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY, 12306
The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language, and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe. In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of enslavement in our state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom. Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers and co-founders of Underground Railroad Education Center as they share a new interpretation of a very old story and explain the various initiatives in which Underground Railroad Education Center is engaged as it works to connect the public with this empowering local history and its relevance for us today.

BIG JIM and the White Boy - book talk with Marcus Kwame Anderson and David F. Walker
2024-11-08 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Hybrid – 194 Livingston Avenue and via Zoom
Commonly regarded as one of the great American novels, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers since 1885. But since its publication, critics have rightfully condemned Mark Twain’s troubling portrayal of Black Americans as stereotypes and caricatures, with contemporary fans searching for a modern update to this iconic tale.
Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined (Ten Speed Graphic; on sale 10/15/24), by Eisner award-winning author team David F. Walker and Kwame Anderson (The Black Panther Party) is a radical retelling of this American classic, centering the experiences of Jim, an enslaved Black man in search of his kidnapped wife and children, along with his cheeky sidekick, Huckleberry Finn. Jim and Huck’s high-stakes adventures take them on an epic voyage across the antebellum South and Midwest, through Confederate war camps and runaway safe houses, into Old West standoffs, and on the road as covert Underground Railroad agents. Intertwined into the story of Jim and Huck are the stories of Jim’s descendants in the 1930s, 1980s, and 2020s, making this a multigenerational family epic as well as an adventure story. Big Jim and the White Boy takes readers on a journey through Jim and Huck’s past, present, and future, delving into their incredible friendship and years of adventures—a bond that transcends the gruesome racism of the Civil War era.
With compelling artwork and riveting storytelling, David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson push the boundaries of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in this incredible graphic novel, exploring the triumphs and tribulations of Jim and his family, and finally giving his due as a hero of American literature.

Books will be available for the purchase price of $28.14 ($25.99 + $2.14 tax) – check, cash, credit cards and Venmo accepted.

This will be a hybrid event, but in-person participation is encouraged. Here is the link for registering if you want to zoom in — https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdu6qrjkoHtXp1irYoMwys9EoNtm6i3B8

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
David F. Walker is an award-winning comic book writer, author, filmmaker, journalist, and educator. His work in comic books includes Shaft, winner of the Glyph Award for Story of the Year; Power Man and Iron Fist, Nighthawk, Fury, Secret Wars: Battleworld, Cyborg, The Army of Dr. Moreau, and Number 13. He is also the creator of the critically-acclaimed YA series The Adventures of Darius Logan and the author of the Eisner-winning The Black Panther Party and Bitter Root. Recognized as a leading scholar expert of African American cinema, Walker produced one of the definitive documentaries on the topic of Blaxploitation films, Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered, and Shafted.
Marcus Kwame Anderson is an illustrator and fine artist. Much of his work explores the beauty and diversity of the African diaspora and often incorporates social commentary. He graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a degree in illustration. Anderson is the Eisner-winning co-creator of The Black Panther Party, the co-creator of the comic book series Snow Daze, and has illustrated stories in Action Lab’s Cash and Carrie and F.O.R.C.E. He is currently the Deputy Director of the Underground Railroad Education Center.

ABOUT TEN SPEED GRAPHIC:
Ten Speed Graphic is a new imprint from Ten Speed Press that publishes distinctive, high-quality graphic books from a diverse array of the industry’s top creators and emerging voices, including literary adaptations, global webcomics, biography, memoir, history, how-to, fiction, and licensed entertainment titles.

The Underground Railroad Revisited at The Frederick Allen Lodge, hosted by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
2024-11-06 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Frederick Allen Lodge #609, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers and Scholars in Residence at Russell Sage College, bring their seminal research on the Underground Railroad movement to the public.

This program will be held in person at the Frederick Allen Lodge #609, 69 Beekman Street. Tickets are $10 for SSPF members and $15 for non-members and should be purchased in advance.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call (518) 587-5030, or email Sydney Hedge, Preservation and Programs Coordinator, at shedge@saratogapreservation.org

More information can be found at https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/special-programs/

Planning Board decided on Area Variance for the Interpretive Center - you are invited
2024-11-06 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Frank Alfonso Building, 200 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, NY, 12210

The Underground Railroad Revisited at Brunswick Community Library
2024-11-05 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Brunswick Community Library, 4118 State Highway 2, Troy, NY, 12180
Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart of Underground Railroad Education Center at Brunswick Community Library to learn things about the Underground Railroad movement that you may never have heard before. Cofounders of Underground Railroad Education Center, the Stewart’s seminal research has opened up a treasure chest of new information about this impactful period in American history. See you at Brunswick Community Library on Tuesday, November 5 at 5:30pm.

Pan-African Friday Folklore: Stories Under The Stars
2024-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
A family evening of culture, words of wisdom, and precautionary tales
In the backyard of The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence.
Gather the family and join us at dusk for a captivating hour of dynamic storytelling that will transport you across time and continents.
Talented performers will bring these traditional tales to life—through dramatic readings, passing along the wisdom and lessons embedded in these stories of strength, courage, cleverness, and caution.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the past through the power of storytelling!

Questions – call 518-621-7793 or use the Contact Us page on the UREC website

Public History Class visits The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2024-10-30 15:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
SUNY Albany’s graduate public history class HIS 501 “Introduction to Public History” will be visiting The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence on Wednesday, October 30 for an immersion into local UGRR history in its national and international context and into its contemporary relevance. An eye-opening experience with far-reaching implications.

A New Interpretation of an Old Story: the Underground Railroad Revisited at The Pruyn House
2024-10-17 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Pruyn House, 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY, 12110
Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart for an engaging presentation about the Underground Railroad movement and its contemporary relevance to be held at The Pruyn House in Latham, New York.
The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language, and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe. In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of enslavement in our state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom. Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers and co-founders of Underground Railroad Education Center as they share a new interpretation of a very old story and explain the various initiatives in which Underground Railroad Education Center is engaged as it works to connect the public with this empowering local history and its relevance for us today.

Information about the pruyn House is available by clicking HERE .

Reimagining I-787 at The Myers Residence Campus
2024-10-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Chat with Department of Transportation staff to learn about the five plans that have been developed around the idea of redesigning Interstate 787 in Albany, NY. Bring your ideas, your questions, your concerns, your criticisms to be shared with DOT staff. They want to hear what members of the community think. You don’t need to live near I-787 to participate in these conversations. Progress is only limited by our imaginations. Stop in at the Myers Residence backyard anytime between 5:30-7:30pm on Wednesday, October 16. Looking forward to seeing you!
Online information is available at https://webapps.dot.ny.gov/reimagining-i-787

Freedom 2027 - October Planning Meeting
2024-10-10 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, 5255 Pleasant Balley Road, Peterboro, New York, 13134
The Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State is launching Freedom 2027 – New York’s Abolition Bicentennial initiative to acknowledge and commemorate the two-hundredth anniversary of the abolition of legal enslavement in New York State. The URCNYS website will also serve as an information hub for research, essays, a bibliography, and other material related to abolition and Underground Railroad history in the state. URCNYS will use its website and other formats to share information about programs sponsored by URCNYS partners as well as programs hosted by other organizations. For information, please visit our website at https://www.urcnys.org/freedom2027 .
The upcoming October 10 planning meeting will be hybrid. Please contact Mary Liz Stewart at 518-621-7793 if interested in contributing to the conversation.

Niskayuna 7th graders to visit The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2024-10-09 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
125 7th graders from the Niskayuna Central School District will be rotating through 5 stations at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence to learn about the Underground Railroad, how it worked, who was involved, and more. We’ll be using inside and outside spaces for this enriching experience. Concluding activities will allow the participating students to create an illustration of what was most meaningful when at The myers Residence. The art, poetry, song and paragraphs to be created by the students will be compiled into a booklet for students to share.

The Underground Railroad Revisited - at Fulton County Historical Society
2024-09-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Fulton County Historical Society, 237 Kingsboro Road, Gloversville, NY, 12078
The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe. In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of slavery in our state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom.
Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart of Underground Railroad Education Center as they share a new interpretation of a very old story and its relationship with us today.

Carrying on the traditions - REACH OUT ST. ROSE - Community Service Day
2024-09-21 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join with College of St. Rose alumni in this tremendous volunteer opportunity. No experience necessary, just a willingness to share your time and talents.
All work will be conducted outdoors on The Stephen and Harriet Myers Campus. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided.
Reach Out Saint Rose alumni are carrying on this amazing annual tradition from when the College was open, when 800+ Saint Rose students, staff, alumni, family and friends would go out into the community and make a difference with a few hours of time and energy. A little bit of time supports neighborhoods, nursing homes, shelters, community gardens and local social service organizations that do so much to respond to the needs of the people of the Capital Region.
Questions? Interested in joining in? Have a group to bring? Call Mary Liz Stewart at 518-621-7793 or contact us via https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/contact/

New Scotland Seniors visit The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2024-09-13 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence to learn the real story about the Underground Railroad. Hidey holes? Nope. Dark of night? Nope. Come ‘meet’ Stephen and Harriet Myers and their colleagues to learn about the challenges they faced as they worked to end the institution of enslavement in New York State and the nation and help Freedom Seekers to freedom while also addressing civil rights issues that are familiar to us today.

Archeology Dig on Powell Family Farm Site - community members invited
2024-09-09 09:00 - 15:00 UTC | NY
UREC will join NYS archeologist Michael Lucas in an archeological dig in Colonie in order to investigate the life of the Powell family, the first Black farmers in the Capital Region. Community members are welcome to participate. If interested please contact Paul Stewart in advance at 518-621-7793 (office) or via the CONTACT page at https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/contact/
Bring lunch, liquids to drink, garden gloves, a willingness to get dirty, and a curious spirit. Come for morning and afternoon or any portion thereof.
Digging will start at 9am and conclude by 3pm.

Lincoln Depot Museum - The Underground Railroad: from Enslavement to Freedom
2024-09-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Lincoln Depot Museum, 10 S. Water Street, Peekskill, New York, 10566
Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart at the Lincoln Depot Museum located at 10 Water Street in Peekskill, NY on Saturday, September 7 from 2pm-4pm for a presentation on a new interpretation of the Underground Railroad story. Complete details can be found at the Lincoln Depot Museum’s website – click HERE for details. See you there!

Freedom Seekers and the UGRR in Albany
2024-09-05 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join with Paul Stewart to learn more about freedom seekers John Henry Hill, Moses Roper, Catherine Brice, and Harriet Jacobs, all of whom have connections to Albany, New York.
This is one of a series of 26 presentations funded by a grant from New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). All presentations will be conducted in person at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. Presentations are free of charge.

The Underground Railroad: a New Interpretation of an Old Story
2024-08-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Princetown Seniors, 6 Old Mariaville Rd., Princetown, NY, 12306
The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language, and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe. In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of enslavement in our state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom. Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers and co-founders of Underground Railroad Education Center as they share a new interpretation of a very old story and explain the various initiatives in which Underground Railroad Education Center is engaged as it works to connect the public with this empowering local history and its relevance for us today.
Sponsored by the Princetown Seniors – presentation to be held at 6 Old Mariaville Rd. Rotterdam, NY.

Tour the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2024-08-13 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join with Schenectady County Historical Society staff and students and members of a Saratoga Springs Reading group for a tour of The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence.
“We devote all our time to the care of the oppressed who come among us. Our pay is small, but yet we are willing to continue to do what we can for them. We have arrivals every few days from southern oppression, and forward them to the next depot…” – Stephen Myers, 1860
This historic site is a place where the community can come to learn about and be transformed by the inspiring story of the Underground Railroad, the first integrated civil rights movement in the United States, and its relevance for us today.

Adults; $12, Seniors: $8, Youth 16yr-9yr: $5, Below 9yr: Free

Albany Planning Department meeting for the Interpretive Center - share your comments
2024-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Albany Community Development Agency, 200 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, NY, 12210

UREC Game Night
2024-08-02 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Enjoy an evening of fun games, munchies and music! 🎉 Don’t miss out – let’s have a blast while supporting a great cause.
While at Game Night, learn about our ongoing history & research projects, youth programs, new construction & restoration – – also, schedule a tour!
Meet new people, play games like chess, mancala, challenging puzzles, and one-of-a-kind activities. ♟️
Stay connected and participate in any pre-Game Night online activities by following us on social media! 📱
See you there!

FreedomCon 2024 - Hope Chapel - the Oldest African American Church in the Mohawk Valley of NYS
2024-07-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual via Zoom
Be part of the cutting edge community – gather from the convenience of your own home via zoom on the 4th Saturday of each month, January through October 2024, from 2pm-3pm for an enriching presentation and conversation about UGRR history and its contemporary relevance.
Full details are available HERE. Online and a paper registration forms are available for your convenience.
Questions? Use the CONTACT US page or call 518-621-7793.
See you soon!
Zoom links will be sent out the day before each event.
Recordings of the presentation will be available to all registrants for one month following the presentation.
Registration for a next day presentation closes at 5pm on the Friday before the presentation.
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July 27 – Hope Chapel – the Oldest African American Church in the Mohawk Valley of NYS
Presented by Deidre Sinnott, novelist, filmmaker, historian and social change advocate.
Learn about Hope Chapel whose roots started with the First Presbyterian Church and the Sabbath School movement in the 1810s. 2023 is the 175th anniversary of Hope Chapel A.M.E. Zion as it is now known. Hope Chapel is one of the places designated as an UGRR site by the Ft. Stanwix Underground Railroad Project, headed by Dr. Judith Wellman.
Click https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/freedomcon-2024/ to learn more and to register for this virtual presentation.

Recent Events Community Conversation - all are welcome to this hybrid event
2024-07-24 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
The multiple challenges and threats taking place around us, locally, nationally, and internationally, are affecting, in one way or another, our attention, our ability to take care of our responsibilities, and our relationships. From the cost of groceries we experience every week to the political rhetoric and the immigration and international crises we hear about daily, we are dealing with a lot, and things do not seem to be slowing down. From the cost alone. We can find strength and support in our community and in opportunities to share our concerns, perspectives, and stories as well to learn about those of others.What recent events have been in your mind recently, and what thoughts or concerns have they made you consider?
For this purpose, the Underground Railroad Education Center and the Excelsior University Center for Social Justice have partnered to facilitate monthly conversations about recent events at the Myers Residence. On ET, join us for cookies, fruit, coffee and lemonade at 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany NY or via Zoom (https://excelsior.zoom.us/j/93125316468), and participate in our facilitated dialogue, or simply listen if you’d prefer, about our reaction and response to the events happening around us. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

More Information
For more information, contact:
Pamela Jimenez
Program Director for the Center for Social Justice
Excelsior University
Pjimenez@excelsior.edu

The Underground Railroad - there is more to the story
2024-07-20 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Albany Public Library Washington Branch, 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210
The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe. In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of slavery in our state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom. Join with the Stewarts as they share a new interpretation of a very old story and explain the various initiatives in which Underground Railroad Education Center is engaged as it works to connect the public with this local history and its relevance for us today.
Join Paul and Mary Liz Stewart for a deeper dive into Underground Railroad history – the local story and the local story in its national and international context – scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 2pm-4pm at the Washington Branch of the Albany Public Library. See you there!

Capital Tonight with Susan Arbetter
2024-07-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Check out Capital Tonight with Susan Arbetter, weeknights at 7pm on Spectrum News 1, for an interview with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart about the goings on at Underground Railroad Education Center.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/capital-tonight can be found using this link.

Susan Arbetter is a long time Capital Region resident, a veteran political journalist with a long list of accolades, including her induction into the Women’s Press Club of New York Hall of Fame.

July 4th Oration - Civil Rights as Spiritual Pilgrimage
2024-07-04 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Delving into deeper meanings of Freedom, Justice and Divine Image, Donna Elia will reflect upon the role of people of faith historically and currently and the need for repentance, reparation and anti-racism. She will reflect upon a call to wholeness and theological reflection, as well as a commitment to a lifelong journey of justice-seeking.

Rev. Donna Elia has been an ordained Presbyterian Minister for 35 years. Since 2000, she has been serving as executive director of Troy Area United Ministries. She is also pastor of St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Spencertown. She co-chairs Albany Presbytery’s Anti-Racism Task Force. She is also a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo. Donna and her partner, Marian, live in Niskayuna and have a son, Luke.

We will be acknowledging the volunteer service contributed to UREC by Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, Judy Wing, Brea Barthel, Emily Durstewitz and Alvin Espino.
As in past years, the program runs from 11am-12pm, to be followed by lunch from 12pm-1pm. Please bring your own chair if you can. Please consider parking on Third Street which runs along the ‘backside’ of the Myers Residence Campus. Third Street, which is one-way running east, is easily accessed from Henry Johnson Blvd.
I am afraid we will not have a children’s space this year. We cannot find anyone to manage that space. Children are welcome but corresponding adults will need to bring things to occupy the child/children.
Looking forward to sharing July 4th with you at The Myers Residence backyard! If weather is inclement, we will withdraw to the Hoop House (Greenhouse) on the Third Street properties.

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“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all others in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy – a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.” Frederick Douglass, 1852, “What to the Slave is Your Fourth of July?”

Rezoning of Interpretive Center Properties and Vote by Albany Common Council
2024-07-01 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Albany City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY, 12207
Albany Common Council has moved out of committee for a full vote by the entire Albany Common Council the recommendation by the Albany Planning Department to rezone the properties on which the UREC Interpretive Center will be built from R-T, Residential Townhouse, to MU-NE, Mixed Use-Neighborhood Edge. A full Council vote will be taken on Ordinance 13.51.24 on Monday, July 1, 2024 at the 6pm meeting on floor 2 in Room 206 of Albany City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207.
Anyone wishing to be heard can submit written comments by 12 noon on July 1, 2024 to commoncouncil@albanyny.gov or provide in-person testimony on the ordinances before the Common Council for consideration.

Juneteenth Celebration/Commemoration 2024 - Join Us!
2024-06-15 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Underground Railroad Education Center (UREC) is thrilled to announce its annual Juneteenth Celebration, taking place on June 15, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This year’s event promises a rich array of activities and performances to honor and remember the significance of Juneteenth.
Event Highlights:

Free Food: Enjoy delicious, complimentary food from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Art & History: Explore the intersection of art and history through engaging exhibits and displays.
Music Performances: Experience the powerful performances of Nick Payton – The BLK Ambition and the soulful melodies of Cameroonian Singers.
Poetry Readings: Read by YALI (UREC teen program), be inspired by thought-provoking poetry celebrating freedom and resilience.
Myers Residence Tours: Take a tour of the historic Myers Residence, the home of Stephen and Harriet Myers, who helped Freedom Seekers in their journey to freedom.
The CDTA Trolley will provide transport between The Myers Residence, Albany Black Chamber, and 135 S. Pearl Street.

“Juneteenth is a time for reflection, education, and celebration,” says Paul Stewart, Co-Founder of Underground Railroad Education Center. “We invite the community to join us in honoring this important moment in history with a day filled with meaningful activities and inspiring performances.”

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, marking a significant chapter in our nation’s history. Specifically the emancipation of roughly 250,000 still enslaved in Galveston Bay, Texas in June 19, 1865. UREC is dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom and equality. The Underground Railroad Education Center researches and preserves the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy to today’s social justice issues.

This event is free and open to the public. Come and celebrate with us as we remember the importance of Juneteenth and continue to strive for justice and equality for all.

PDF Flier to print and share — Juneteenth 2024 Flyer – thanks for helping to spread the word!
