NEWSLETTER
Schenectady, NY (July 24, 2024) -- The Schenectady County Historical Society is pleased to present a new program, "Living History: 19th Century African Americans." The program will take place at SCHS on Saturday, August 17 from 3pm to 5pm. The community is invited to join in celebrating Schenectady’s African American history. This program will feature living history performances highlighting three local individuals who rose from the shackles and oppression of slavery to positions of prominence. The event will also include performances from the Duryee AME Zion Church Choir.
Performances include:
Anthony Allen: The Journey from Slavery in Schenectady to Entrepreneur in Hawaii by Donald Hyman
Julia Foote: A Brand Plucked from the Fire by Amelia Paul
Moses Viney by Walter Simpkins
“Moses Viney is an important part of our history," explained performer Walter Simpkins. "He was a runaway slave from Maryland who worked for the president of Union College and later became a respected businessman here in Schenectady. The role of portraying his character is done to inspire our community as to why we can't let any preconceived ideas about who we are limit that greatness that lies within us.”
Donald Hyman, who will be portraying Anthony Allen, explained the background of his performance: “I discovered Anthony "Alani" D. Allen on a search of Juneteenth...My curiosity turned to fascination and as I anxiously digested his remarkable journey, [and] the creative urge to bring it to life was germinated in me. Fortunately, when I made a proposal to the librarian at SCHS about this idea I was given the green light."
Actor Amelia Paul noted that "part of the struggle in researching US Black history -- particularly stemming from slavery onward -- is that the practice of both reading and writing were illegal for generations of enslaved and freed Black people. When you try to find the narratives of the Black experience, many times these accounts were passed on orally, and not documented in writing. History ends up dying with the person. Thank goodness for the Reverend Julia Foote writing her memoire so her-story may live on..."
Marietta Carr, the SCHS Librarian/Archivist is thrilled that SCHS is able to present this program. "This event provides a unique opportunity to humanize historical figures and present their stories in dynamic ways. The remarkable journeys of Anthony Allen, Julia Foote, and Moses Viney tell us a lot about nineteenth century Schenectady and the African American experience.”
This event is part of the Schenectady African American Historical Records Project, a collaborative community archives project focused on working with community record creators and memory keepers, preserving historical materials created by African Americans, and supporting education and research on local Black history. This project is supported in part by funding from Schenectady County and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
This event will be held outside on the SCHS lawn and parking lot, weather permitting. Refreshments will be served. It is free and open to the public
For more information, contact Marietta Carr, Librarian/Archivist at the Schenectady County Historical Society: 518-374-0263 x3 or librarian@schenectadyhistorical.org.
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Contact: Marietta Carr
Phone: 518-374-0263
Email: librarian@schenectadyhistorical.org
Website: https://schenectadyhistorical.org
Address: 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady NY 12305