UREC Board Meeting
2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Monthly URHPCR Board Meetings are open to the public. Pay us a visit. Listen in on the discussions that inform implementation of the mission-based vision of UREC. Board meetings are hybrid.
Please contact Mary Liz Stewart, Executive Director, to inform her of your intent to attend. Directions will be provided for accessing the Zoom meeting.
Mary Liz Stewart – (518) 621-7793 or https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/contact/
This will be a hybrid meeting — in-person at The Myers Residence and via Zoom.

Teen Museum Studies Program - join in!
2026-05-20 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Sign up to be part of this unique out-of-school program for high school juniors and seniors. Be an agent of change! Prepare yourself to democratize and diversify the museum field!
Meet with other teens at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence every Wednesday from 4pm-7pm and on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10am-1pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
Interested? Contact Lacey Wilson, Project Manager, at Laceyw.urec@gmail.com.

Lift Every Voice: Democratic Engagement Conversation - you are invited
2026-05-21 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual via Zoom
Excelsior’s Center for Social Justice, the Civic Engagement Rope Team, the Underground Railroad Education Center, the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, and the NYS No Hate Capital Region Council are thrilled to invite you to participate in our 2025 democratic engagement dialogue sessions.
How do we lift every voice? Let’s explore together the meaning of democracy and ways to engage with others when we all have different ways of thinking. Join us for a series of conversations hosted by Excelsior’s Center for Social Justice and the Civic Engagement Rope Team.
During each session, the conversation will focus on:
— Our collective exploration of the meaning and power of democracy as a choice, way of thinking, and a lifestyle.
— Strategies to create and engage in dialogue that transcends disagreement, promotes inclusion, leverages our diversity, and strengthens democracy.
— Concrete actions we could pursue to participate and promote democracy in our daily environments.
Click HERE for more information and registration.

Young Abolitionist Leadership Institute (YALI After School)
2026-05-21 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-05-28 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Albany High School, 700 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York, 12203
Continuing UREC’s tradition of programming that promotes collaboration, literary and research skills in our high school participants, teen participants, led by UREC facilitators, will learn local Underground Railroad history and create innovative, multimedia educational experiences targeted to their age group. The teens will take on the role of consultant with UREC to address a need for programming that is more appealing to teens. Through the process of project development, teens will advance skills in research, attention to detail, analysis, and critical thinking.
Teens will start learning the process of researching and interpreting local Underground Railroad history through the creation of a collection of non-fiction, historical short comic stories. They will later explore these research and interpretation skills through other mediums, including performance and documentary filmmaking. This is a unique opportunity for the teens to dictate how UREC’s history and mission can best be constructed for a youth audience while learning transferable skills for their future careers. This teen-led process will encourage growth in adaptability, professionalism, attention to detail, time-management, and public speaking as they determine how the project takes shape.
By creating comics for younger audiences, participants will learn to balance creative choices and primary source information. By exploring creative methods for telling local stories of the underground railroad, students will gain pride by retelling local history to audiences made up of their peers and community members. Staff will facilitate exercises emphasizing teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Teens will utilize collaborative skills as they plan and execute daily objectives as they work towards their larger goals.
YALI Meets every Thursday from 3:30-5pm at Albany High School. Contact Marcus Kwame Anderson at 518-621-7793 or at marcus.urec08@gmail.com for information on how to participate.

Opening Reception: Working the Waters
2026-05-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center, 135 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY, 12202
Join us to celebrate the opening reception of Working the Waters: Black Mariners on the Hudson Rivers 1800s. As the first installation in our Black Experience Exhibit Series, this exhibit explores the lives and labor of Black mariners, sailors, and ship captains.
The reception will take place on Thursday, May 21 at the Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The evening will include light refreshments and remarks, with ample time to view the exhibit and connect with others interested in this history.
PLEASE RSVP Here !
The Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center is located at 135 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202. https://www.alicemoorecenter.org/

Pinkster at Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
2026-05-23 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, 32 Catherine St., Albany, NY, 12202
Join with UREC on Saturday, June 23, 2026 from 11AM–4PM at Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site for Pinkster, a celebration of family, hope, and cultural identity. With roots dating to New York’s Dutch colonial period, this modern Pinkster festival is a way to recognize the importance of African cultural influences on music, dance, and identity during New York’s colonial and early American period.
Pinkster is free and open to the public. The family-friendly festivities will feature musical performances plus participatory dance, live music, fabric stamping, and food. In addition, there will be open house style tours of Schuyler Mansion and a special exhibition.
Historically, Pinkster was an event that was shaped and developed over the 18th century by the cultural traditions brought to the Hudson River Valley by people from West and Central Africa and their descendants, who were enslaved by colonists. The holiday- which was originally a Dutch religious observance – evolved into a spring festival at which time enslaved men and women reunited with friends and loved ones to form their own new traditions in storytelling, music, dance, food – and the coveted selection of the Pinkster King.
Full details available at https://www.albany.com/event/pinkster-celebration-at-schuyler-mansion-275177/

Tour Experiences at The Myers Residence - a new interpretation of an old story
2026-05-23 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Call ahead to schedule your tour at The Myers Residence.
Saturday tours are hosted at 12:30pm and 2:00pm.
Admission payments can be made online at https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/tours/ or at The Myers Residence via cash, check, and credit card.
Don’t forget to check out Myers Mercantile while at The Residence where you will find great books, puzzles, jewlery, and more.
Tour experiences can be scheduled on weekday evenings for individuals and family groups, as well as during the daytime for groups of 10 or more. Calling ahead to discuss scheduling is essential in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. The Myers Residence is the current base of operations for UREC, which means The Residence provides space for tour experiences, workshops, programs, events, meetings, and work space for staff.

The Myers Residence is closed for Memorial Day
2026-05-25 | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence will be closed on Memorial Day. We wish you a pleasant Memorial Day and look forward to seeing you soon!

Craft Night at the Myers Residence
2026-05-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-15 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join with other crafters for an enjoyable, relaxed evening of crafting and socializing. Bring your own craft to work on. Every Monday evening from 7pm-9pm at The Myers Residence. Parking is on the street. Restroom facility is available. Light snacks will be available.
How is Craft Night related to the mission of UREC? Harriet Myers and her colleagues met regularly for their sewing circles and knitting circles to produce products for Freedom Seekers, to be sold at bazaars they would organize, to hold their political conversations, and to socially support each other.
Questions? Call 518-621-7793 and leave a message for Sarah, or leave a message online
at https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/contact/

Teen Museum Studies Program – join in
2026-05-27 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-03 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-10 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-17 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States

Drawn to Art - Workshop a UREC
2026-05-29 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Seniors in the Albany, NY Capital Region – you are invited to begin your creative journey at the Historic Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence with award-winning illustrators, Shirley Clark and Marcus Kwame.
Enjoy a FREE 10-week relaxing art experience — Fridays beginning April 10th
Register online HERE or CALL (518) 621-7793 to sign up — space is limited
*NO previous skill needed
*ALL supplies provided

Drawn to Art of Underground Railroad Education Center is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Where:
The Historic Myers Residence
Underground Railroad Education Center
194 Livingston Avenue, Albany NY

Drive to Live in Albany
2026-05-29 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-30 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Interfaith Sanctuary, 959 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203
Join with writer and producer Carol Durant at her May 29-30 production of Drive to Live in Albany.

Performances are scheduled on Friday, May 29 at 7pm and on Saturday, May 30 at 4pm and 7pm

Performances will be held at the Interfaith Center on the old College of St. Rose campus.

Tickets are available at https://www.simpletix.com/e/drive-to-live-in-albany-tickets-269710

See you there!

Tour Experiences at The Myers Residence - a new interpretation of an old story
2026-05-30 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Call ahead to schedule your tour at The Myers Residence.
Saturday tours are hosted at 2:00pm.
Admission payments can be made online at https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/tours/ or at The Myers Residence via cash, check, and credit card.
Don’t forget to check out Myers Mercantile while at The Residence where you will find great books, puzzles, jewlery, and more.
Tour experiences can be scheduled on weekday evenings for individuals and family groups, as well as during the daytime for groups of 10 or more. Calling ahead to discuss scheduling is essential in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. The Myers Residence is the current base of operations for UREC, which means The Residence provides space for tour experiences, workshops, programs, events, meetings, and work space for staff.

Drawn To Art - Workshop at UREC
2026-06-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-12 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States

Activation Day - the Freedom Walkers at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2026-06-06 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Join the Freedom Walkers at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence on Saturday, June 6 from 1pm-4pm. Activities include a presentation by Freedom Walkers, talk about the Harriet Tubman statue, free tours of The Myers Residence, Garden tours, movie documentary, children’s activities.
The Freedom Walkers journey takes them from Silver Spring, Maryland to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, honoring Harriet Tubman and other freedom seekers and bringing the message of freedom.
Click #FreedomWalk2026 for more information.
#FreedomWalk2026 envisions a nation where America’s unfinished story is completed to form a more just and perfect union. Uniting past and present we seek to re-ignite the ideals of “We the People”—sparking inspiration for future generations to secure equity, justice, and liberation for all.

UREC Board Executive Committee meeting
2026-06-09 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Hybrid – 194 Livingston Avenue and via Zoom
The Executive Board Committee of Underground Railroad Education Center meets virtually at 4pm on the second Tuesday of each month. A zoom link will be sent via email to board officers. If you are not an Executive Committee member but do have something you would like to have included in the UREC Board Meeting agenda, please contact Paul Stewart at 518-621-7793 or via the Contact us Page on the UREC website.

Collections Committee - Join in
2026-06-11 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210, United States
Do you like researching? Recordkeeping? Cataloguing? Planning programs, exhibits, displays? This very active committee needs more volunteers to carry out its important work for UREC and for the community. Be part of the Collections Team! Meetings are held every other month at The Myers Residence on the second Thursday from 6pm-7:30pm.

Questions? Contact Carmen Bivens at 518-621-7793.

The Underground Railroad - there's more to the story
2026-06-11 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | East Greenbush Community Library, 10 Community Way, East Greenbush, NY, 12061, United States
As the first civil rights movement in the United States, the Underground Railroad is so much more than we have been led to believe. Join with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart at the East Greenbush Community Library to take a deeper dive into this transformative period in American history that is related with us today. Learn more about the Underground Railroad Education Center.
Full details are available at the East Greenbush Library website.

Schuyler Flatts Burial Ground Remembrance Ceremony
2026-06-13 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY, 12204
Join with others from the community on this 10th anniversary to remember those who, spending their lives enslaved to the Schuylers, were remembered, honored, and respectfully reburied at St. Agnes Cemetery in 2016.
Uncovering the remains of 16 individuals from infants to senior adults, buried in an unmarked cemetery that was once part of the Schuyler family property in today’s city of Watervliet, community members came together to ensure a proper reburial. Mark this 10th anniversary by joining with others at the African Burial site in St. Agnes Cemetery on June 13 at 11am.
Click HERE for a map of the St. Agnes Cemetery Grounds noting the location of the African Burial site.

UREC Board Meeting
2026-06-16 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Hybrid – 194 Livingston Avenue and via Zoom

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Albany Public Library Washington Branch, 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12210
Join The Tales of Albany: Local History Book Club in celebration of Juneteenth and discover more about the history of the Underground Railroad and Albany’s role in the movement for freedom.
This special session will feature guest speakers from the Underground Railroad Education Center, who will share insights from their research about the Underground Railroad in Albany.
The main book that will be discussed is Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich, a compelling and accessible history of the Underground Railroad and the people who risked their lives to challenge slavery.
Participants are welcome to read the book in advance or simply come to listen to the Underground Railroad Education Center and join the discussion.

Please REGISTER HERE
