Office of State History

The following are some examples of Black History Month Events taking place at museums and historical societies across New York State.  Check back often for updates.

New-York Historical Society
Manhattan/NYC
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow Exhibit
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow explores the struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years after the Civil War.
Exhibit runs September, 2018-March, 2019
For More Information: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/black-citizenship-age-jim-crow

Bronx County Historical Society
Bronx/NYC
Program: “The Bronx African American Experience Exhibit”
“The Bronx African American Experience,” The Bronx County Historical Society’s exhibition documenting the history and heritage of Bronxites of African descent. The show runs from February 1 through February 28, 2019.  This exhibition is part of The Bronx African American History Project (BAAHP), a historical research project established in 2006 with Fordham University’s Department of African & African American Studies to document and share the history and heritage of Bronx African Americans.
Exhibit runs through February 28, 2019
For More Information: http://bronxhistoricalsociety.org/

Sayville Historical Society
Sayville/Long Island
February 17, 2 pm
Lecture: “Men of Color, to Arms” Islip Town and the United States Colored Troops."
For More Information: http://www.sayville.com/historicalsociety/

National Parks Service St. Paul's Church National Historic Site
Mount Vernon/Hudson Valley
February 9, 12pm-4pm
In recognition of Black History Month, Michael Crowder, a dissertation fellow at the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies, explores African Americans and the abolitionist movement in the era of the American Revolution. Mr. Crowder, who also teaches American history at Queens College, is writing his doctoral dissertation on that subject, at the Graduate Center of The City University of New York.
For more information: https://www.nps.gov/sapa/sapaprogsched.htm

Historic Hudson Valley
Pocantico Hills/Hudson Valley
Ongoing program: "Slavery in the Colonial North"
Historic Hudson Valley has been committed to telling the story of slavery in the colonial North for more than two decades. They do this at our Philipsburg Manor site and through a dynamic range of programs and digital initiatives that are responsive to the needs of educators, students, and the public.
For More Information: https://hudsonvalley.org/themes-and-projects/slavery-in-the-colonial-north/

Dutchess County Historical Society/FDR Library
Poughkeepsie/Hudson Valley
The African American Experience in WW1
February 3, 1pm
The Dutchess County Historical Society with the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and FDR Library are hosting an opportunity to meet the African American WW1 re-enactors (in uniform and with authentic gear), the Ebony Doughboys. There will also be a lecture from the highly regarded authority on the Harlem Rattlers (also known as the fighting 369th or Harlem Hellfighters) Dr. Jeffrey Sammons, the afternoon of February 3.
For More Information: https://dchsny.org/feb3/

Black History Month Kingston
Kingston/Catskills/Hudson Valley
February 17, 12pm
Program: “The Possibility of Land in Black Hands: Black resilience and democracy through land ownership.”
For More Information: http://www.blackhistorymonthkingston.org/

New York State Museum
Albany/Capital Region
Traveling Exhibit
Open February 4-April 30
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow panel exhibition organized by the New York Historical Society explores the struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years after the Civil War.  New York State Museum will display a case of artifacts in conjunction with exhibition.
For More Information: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/

Albany Institute of History and Art
Albany/Capital Region
February 10, 2:00pm
LECTURE & ART PROGRAM: "Black Dimensions in Art: Celebrating Over 40 Years."
Since 1975, Black Dimensions in Art, Inc. (BDA) has been dedicated to educating the public about artists of the African Diaspora and their unique contributions to the American art scene, and encouraging African-American youth in the practice, application, and appreciation of the arts.
For More Information: https://www.albanyinstitute.org/event/product/LECTURE-ART-PROGRAM.html

Rapp Road Historical Association
Albany/Capital Region
Friday, February 1, 6pm
Radio interview with WOOC 105.3fm
Topic: "The Migration and Encroachment by the Pyramid Management Group of the Rapp Road Historic Community."
Monday, February 4, 8pm
SUNY Albany Writer's Institute Series
featuring Charlayne Woodard
Wednesday, February 6, 10am
New York State Office of General Services' Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Expo & Vendor Fair
Tuesday, February 12, 10am
Albany County Building
RRHA presentation "The Migration" and Encroachment by Pyramid Management Group on the Rapp Road Historic Community."
For More Information: https://rapproad.wordpress.com/

Ballston Area History Roundtable
Ballston Spa/Capital Region
February 13, 7pm
Program: “Race and Prejudice in Ante-Bellum Saratoga County”
Black slavery and servanthood as well as prejudice against people of color was prevalent in Saratoga County in the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War. However, so was mutual acceptance, shared community and friendship. Jim Richmond will lead a group discussion on the treatment of blacks during this period.
For More Information: https://ballstonareahistoryroundtable.com/2019-programs/

The Wild Center
Tupper Lake/North Country
February 28, 9am
"FEED Back: Cultivating Action."
Food justice is a strong, fair, inclusive, nutritious food system for everyone. What does food justice look like and how do we create a strong food system together? This year’s summit will build upon last year’s investigation of the North Country’s food system, emphasizing action toward our collective vision of a just and sovereign regional food system. The summit will include contributions that instruct advocates, activists, farmers, and consumers on creating long-lasting changes to the food system and reaching out across socioeconomic and cultural differences. The types of action participants will address include farming the land, food security efforts, political activism, community organizing, and education.
For More Information: https://www.wildcenter.org/event/feed-back-cultivating-action/

The Clinton County Historical Association
Plattsburgh/North Country
February 21, 6:30pm
"Northern Slavery--Part of the American Story."
Slavery is not just a southern story.  In fact, New York was the epicenter of slavery in the early colonial world.  From Boston to Plattsburgh, and up and down the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, enslaved persons were an important part of the labor market and helped build wealth in the society. The first American slave code was written in Massachusetts.  Peter Slocum, a longtime tour guide with the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, explores untold stories of northern Slavery, including some discoveries close to home.  The event is free and open to the public.
For More Information: http://www.clintoncountyhistorical.org

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Cooperstown/Central NY
Ongoing exhibit: "Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience"
This exhibit traces the incredible story of the African-American baseball experience, from 1860 to the present. "Pride and Passion" demonstrates how segregation in baseball was a reflection of our society and how baseball served as a catalyst for change throughout America.
For More Information: https://baseballhall.org/discover/museum/pride-and-passion

Oneida County History Center
Utica/Central NY
February 2, 1pm
"Black Migrations, Utica/Oneida County Branch, NAACP, Black History Month Celebration"
For More Information: https://www.oneidacountyhistory.org/

Phelps Mansion Museum
Binghamton/Southern Tier
February 11, 12pm
Mondays at the Museum: “W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues” films screening.
W. C. Handy is a larger than life figure in American music history. For more than one
hundred years he has been revered internationally as The Father of the Blues, but his
story has never been told in documentary form – until now. Mr. Handy’s Blues is an
against all odds heart wrenching tale of family conflict, racial tensions and redemption.
Born the son of a preacher in post-Civil War Alabama, Handy rose to fame as one of the
most beloved and prolific composers of the 20th Century.
For More Information: https://phelpsmansion.org/

Community Folk Art Center
Syracuse/Central NY
February 2
Black History Month Kickoff Reception
For More Information: http://communityfolkartcenter.org/

Memorial Art Gallery
Rochester/Finger Lakes
February 17, 12pm
Black History Month Celebration
Several times each year, the Memorial Art Gallery opens its doors and offers Rochester area families and community members the opportunity to learn more about specific cultures. These events for all ages feature hands-on art activities, music and dance demonstrations, storytelling, and a variety of cultural displays.
For More Information: http://mag.rochester.edu/events/familycommunity-days/

Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area
Niagara Falls/Western NY
Freedom Conversation Tours, Every Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30am & 2pm, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Freedom Conversation Tours are the Heritage Center’s signature program. Rooted in stories of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, these tours spark conversation and offer a space to consider the relationship between race, human rights, and freedom. The tours are a way to foster empathy, increase knowledge, and encourage action.
Second Saturday Story Time, Saturday February 9, 10:30am, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Atrium
February’s story time will feature stories of everyday activism.
Seeker Speaker Series featuring Anthony Cohen, Saturday February 16, 3pm, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Atrium
Patrick Sneed was a waiter at the Cataract Hotel who escaped slavery himself. After an encounter with bounty hunters, he was fraudulently charged with murder. His descendent Anthony Cohen will tell Sneed’s story, followed by a book signing of The Refugee: Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada.
Freedom Readers Book Club: Steal Away Home, Tuesday February 19, 6:30-8pm, Doris Jones Community Center
“Frost’s calmness puts the reader at ease in the passenger seat. . . . Steal Away Home completely embodies the definition of one’s life being bittersweet.” - The Chronicle Herald
Presented in partnership with the Doris Jones Resource Center, this club reads books about the legacy of slavery and fights for freedom. February's book is Steal Away Home by award winning author and historian Karolyn Smardz Frost. A compelling work of narrative nonfiction, this book captures Cecelia Reynolds’ epic story of courage.
Black History Celebration, Friday, February 22, 5–9pm, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Atrium
Join in celebration of Black History Month with a new art installation by Iris Kirkwood, music, bites, and beverages.
Seeker Speaker Series featuring Karolyn Smardz Frost, Saturday February 23, 3pm, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Atrium
Cecelia Reynolds came to the Cataract Hotel with her enslavers. One night, she slipped across the Canadian border to freedom. Karolyn Smardz Frost is an award winning author and historian who tells Cecelia’s story in the book Steal Away Home. A book signing follows her one-hour talk.
Black Expo 2019: An Entrepreneurial Extravaganza, Sunday February 24, 1–5pm, Free, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Atrium
The Community Health Center of Niagara and Niagara Falls Office of Economic Development / NF MWBE Program, in partnership with the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, will host the second annual expo for Black-owned businesses of all kinds. From restaurant and caterers, to clothing, jewelry and handbag makers, to fitness, health and beauty providers, to insurance agents, tax preparation and more, the Black Expo supports and celebrates local business, black history, and the Niagara Falls Community.
For More Information: http://niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org/