Activist, historian, author, and Utica native Deirdre Sinnott is set to present “Underground Railroad: The 1836 Escape, Arrest, and Rescue in Utica of George and Harry Bird” on Wednesday, September 26th at 5:30 pm at the Oneida County Historical Society.
The presentation is the culmination of extensive research by Sinnott and local Oneida County historians to demystify the 180-year-old story of two enslaved men who were encouraged by their dying mistress to run from their home in Woodstock, VA and find the path from slavery to freedom.
Sinnott has given talks at historical societies, national and regional history conferences, colleges and universities, and Utica’s Abolition History Day Celebration. Utica, New York is also the setting of her upcoming historical novel, The Third Mrs. Galway.
This program takes place in the center’s main gallery. Doors open at 5 pm.
The Oneida County History Center is located at 1608 Genesee Street in Utica. For more information, visit their website or call (315) 735-3642.
Photo of The Hayden Building provided by Oneida County History Center.
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