African American History

New Book Highlights African American Civil War Service

December 30, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A new book by independent researcher and author Marjory Allen Perez, Freedom, A Shared Sacrifice! tells the stories of Western New York’s African American Civil War soldiers and their families.

Freedom, A Shared Sacrifice! focuses on soldiers from Western New York who joined black regiments between 1863 and 1865. Beginning with the men who traveled from New York in the spring of 1863 to enlist in the 54th Massachusetts, subjects of the movie Glory, the author documents the history of black regiments raised in the North, as well the soldiers who took part in the epic battle to save the Union and end slavery. [Read more…] about New Book Highlights African American Civil War Service

Black Soldiers of NYS Talk Features Cayuga County

October 29, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Local historian and author Anthony Gero is set to present a lecture about African American soldiers on Sunday, November 4 at 2 pm in the Carriage House Theater at the Cayuga Museum.

In this presentation, Gero will offer a vision of these soldiers’ legacies from 1750 through the First World War, featuring the role of African Americans from Cayuga County.

Women’s Rights National Park Marking Juneteenth

June 14, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Women’s Rights National Historical Park is set to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday, June 15th and Saturday, June 16th.

In the midst of The Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared all enslaved persons in most Southern States freed effective January 1, 1863 with The Emancipation Proclamation. Planters and other enslavers migrated to Texas to escape the fighting, subsequently greatly increasing the enslaved population there prior to the end of the Civil War. The enslaved people of Texas, most of whom were geographically isolated, were read the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865. The celebration that ensued has been known thereafter as Juneteenth. [Read more…] about Women’s Rights National Park Marking Juneteenth

African Americans in Times of War, Utica Feb 3rd

January 29, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Oneida County History Center has announced “African Americans in Times of War,” a program celebrating Black History Month, is set for Saturday, February 3rd from 1 to 3 pm.

The Oneida County History Center will join the Utica/Oneida County Branch NAACP to celebrate and honor African American Veterans. Guest Speakers will include Ms. Pauline Bright, Mr. John Harrison, and Mr. Edward Jackson all of Utica, and Mr. Herbert Thorpe of Rome. These individuals will present a brief summary of their experiences in the military and its relationship to the theme “African Americans in Times of War. In addition, there will be a tribute to African American Veterans, performances, and light refreshments. [Read more…] about African Americans in Times of War, Utica Feb 3rd

Harlem Preservation Conference April 29th

April 23, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

On Saturday, April 29, twelve community-based organizations will host a day-long forum titled “Harlem and the Future: Preserving Culture and Sustaining History in a Changing Environment” (“Harlem and the Future”) that will discuss the changes, the best practices, and the imminent challenges that are affecting Harlem’s social fabric, built environment, and cultural heritage. Harlem’s first historic preservation conference comes at a time of change to this iconic neighborhood.

The conference will begin at 9 am at the City College of New York Spitzer School of Architecture (141 Convent Avenue at 135th Street) and will last until 5 pm with a series of events staged throughout the day. [Read more…] about Harlem Preservation Conference April 29th

Crossing Broadway, Washington Heights and the Promise of New York City

February 6, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In Crossing Broadway Washington: Heights and the Promise of New York City (Cornell University Press, 2014), Robert W. Snyder explores New York City in the 1970s.

When the South Bronx burned and the promise of New Deal New York and postwar America gave way to despair, the people of Washington Heights at the northern tip of Manhattan were increasingly vulnerable.

The Heights had long been a neighborhood where generations of newcomers — Irish, Jewish, Greek, African American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican — carved out better lives in their adopted city. But as New York City shifted from an industrial base to a service economy, new immigrants from the Dominican Republic struggled to gain a foothold. This was followed by the crack epidemic of the 1980s, and the drug wars. [Read more…] about Crossing Broadway, Washington Heights and the Promise of New York City

Martin Luther King’s Plattsburgh Legacy

January 20, 2014 by Lawrence P. Gooley Leave a Comment

Today is Martin Luther King Day, and if you lived through the 1960s, you’ll never forget that turbulent decade. Even turbulent is putting it mildly: weekly classroom drills for nuclear attacks (Get under my desk? What the heck is this thing made of?); riots over race, poverty, the draft, and the Vietnam War; the assassinations of JFK, King, and Bobby Kennedy; and so much more. [Read more…] about Martin Luther King’s Plattsburgh Legacy

Events Will Mark 1964 Civil Rights Act 50th Anniversary

June 10, 2013 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Women’s Rights National Historical Park will offer a special program and kick-off event “1964 Civil Rights Act Revisited” with park ranger Jamie Wolfe and volunteer Harlene Gilbert on June 22 at 11:00 AM in the Wesleyan Chapel.

In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Women’s Rights National Historical Park will sponsor a year-long series of programs titled “Keep the Dream Alive” Events. The kick-off program will correspond with the introduction of the most prominent civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. [Read more…] about Events Will Mark 1964 Civil Rights Act 50th Anniversary

New Yorkers Rejected Black Voting Rights

January 30, 2013 by Peter Slocum 3 Comments

In 1846, New York voters rejected equal voting rights for black males by a wide margin — 71% to 29%.

This rejection helped persuade Gerrit Smith to start his Timbuctoo colony in the Adirondacks. His idea was to get free blacks land enough to meet the $250 property requirement. (All property requirements were abolished for white males.)

Meanwhile, voters in some parts of New York did support equal voting rights, and voted to end the property requirement that kept more than 90% of free black men from voting.

The North Country showed the strongest support. [Read more…] about New Yorkers Rejected Black Voting Rights

UGRR Conference: Milestones on the Road to Freedom

January 24, 2013 by Peter Slocum Leave a Comment

The 2013 Underground Railroad Public History Conference in the Capital District this year is marking three major milestones: the Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago, the death of Harriet Tubman 100 years ago, and the civil rights March on Washington 50 years ago.

The annual conference is the major Underground Railroad gathering each year in New York State. It will hold sessions in Albany and Troy, starting Friday, April 12, and finishing on Sunday, April 14. [Read more…] about UGRR Conference: Milestones on the Road to Freedom