The murder of George Floyd has unleashed a swelling of sorrow and anger across the United States. Yet again … yet again … a black person has been killed at the hands of white authority. It seems trite to say that we have seen this too often. We have, for sure. But we also know that the history of our country is bound with the racial exploitation of black people to the betterment of whites.

Today, the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project stands with the Floyd family and all friends of justice and equality. We know that the injustices of slavery, racism and oppression were part of the history of our own Mid-Hudson region, just as much as across the wider America. The first black enslaved people were brought to our area in the late 17^thcentury, and the last of the enslaved weren’t freed until 1827.

The mission of the MHAHP is threefold: to research the history of slavery, antislavery, and the Underground Railroad in the mid-Hudson region: to interpret this history and share these interpretations with residents, visitors, and wider audiences; and to place this local history in the broader context of racial slavery in the New World, the African American experience, and the impact of this history on subsequent struggles for racial and social justice.

Through lectures, workshops, song, teaching, books and community alliances, we commit ourselves to continuing our mission. And we stand today united with the Floyd family, the African American community, and all people fighting for a just and equal United States.

June 4, 2020

Ken Moody

Our friend and colleague, F. Kennon Moody, died on April 11, at his home. Ken was 86, and living at The Fountains in Millbrook, New York. He is survived by his son David, his daughter-in-law Eileen Guilfoyle and their two children, Sophie and Gus, as well as by his daughter Laura Hoskins, her husband Dan, and their two children Min Ho and Madeleine. His wife of sixty years, Mary Law Moody, died March 28, 2019.

Ken was involved in education, social justice work, religion and history his entire adult life. He received his Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and taught for a while as a history professor at Dutchess Community College. He received his Ph.D. in American History from SUNY Albany, where he wrote his dissertation on Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ken worked as a professional Roosevelt researcher and contributed to more than a dozen books, a PBS special, and ultimately authored his own book, FDR and his Hudson Valley Neighbors. Throughout his life, Ken was devoted to community service. A memorial service will be scheduled once gathering restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dutchess Interfaith CROP Hunger Walk, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

Ken was instrumental in the formation and success of the Mid-Hudson Valley Antislavery History Project. 

Please celebrate Black History Month by attending this important presentation by Susan Stessin-Cohn, “Hidden Heritage.”

The talk will be held at the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz Community Center.

Author Talk and Book Signing

The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul From the Revolution to the Civil War

with Andrew DelBanco

     The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum will present an author’s talk and book signing on Sunday, February 9th, 2020. The program will take place at the Henry A. Wallace Center, and it begins at 2:00pm.

     The talk by Mr. Delbanco is being co-sponsored by the Rhinebeck Reformed Church, the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County, and the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project. After Mr. Delbanco’s remarks, he will be signing copies of his book, which can be purchased at the Wallace Center gift shop.

     This is a free public event, but registration is required. To register, go to https://www.fdrlibrary.org/events-calendar, or call 845-486-7770. 

The National Park Service Network to Freedom program, held bi-annually, will take place this year from September 11-14, in Niagara Falls, NY. This year’s program is being co-hosted by the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State, the Niagara Falls Heritage Area, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

The Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project is a founding member of the Consortium and is participating in the planning for the program.

This year’s program theme is “Crossings: Bridging the Authentic Underground Railroad Past to Present.” The four day training will feature renowned speakers, panel discussions, an exhibit hall, and tours of local museums and historic sites. The program will move away from the normal format of research papers and instead focus on training participants in how to conduct Underground Railroad research and programming for their respective sites. The NTF Program Committee welcomes proposals for case study presentations. The deadline for proposals is May 31, 2019. 

For more information, including the Call for Proposals and the submission process, please go to: https://www.npa.gov/orgs/1205/professional-development.htm. 

The Black History Project Committee of the Mid-Hudson Heritage Center

invites you to the

4th Annual Lorraine M. Roberts Memorial Lecture

Segregation Stress Syndrome:
Elderly African American survivors of Jim Crow, the long term impacts of racial violence, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma

Professor Ruth Thompson-Miller
Visiting Associate Professor of Sociology at Vassar College

MHAHP will be presenting a four-session class on the topic of “Slavery, Antislavery and the Underground Railroad in the Mid-Hudson Region” for the Center for Lifetime Study (CLS). The Center is part of the continuing education program of  Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. 

The class will examine the history of slavery, antislavery activities, and the Underground Railroad in the Mid- Hudson Valley. There will be one class devoted to slave resistance, which will examine closely the fugitives – ‘freedom seekers’ – who ran away from their owners. Other areas to be covered include how this local history fit within the broader national history of slavery and antislavery; the build-up to the Civil War and post-Civil War attitudes toward the emancipated men and women; and the legacy of enslavement in America. The evidence and myths surrounding the Underground Railroad will also be examined. 

The sessions run on four successive Tuesdays beginning April 2. 

The Marist Center for Lifetime Study provides opportunities for intellectual and cultural exploration and development for men and women of retirement age. CLS provides a rewarding experience of learning and fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere without exams or grades. Currently, 650 members enjoy courses, trips, and social events held in various locations.