Celebrating Black History Month (virtual)

Dutchess County Government is sponsoring a free virtual presentation by the Dutchess County Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 23rd, at 7 p.m. to celebrate Black History Month and discuss a new project that celebrates the achievements and legacy of African Americans for our local community. 

Since the 1990s, groups of dedicated historians and community activists have worked tirelessly to uncover and share stories of Black residents of Dutchess County. The Dutchess County Historical Society’s Black History Committee, the Mid-Hudson Anti-Slavery History Project, and Poughkeepsie’s Celebrating the African Spirit group have shed new light on topics ranging from Black burial grounds to the exploits of Abolitionists in Poughkeepsie and the post-Civil War struggle for equality. This year marks another vital installment in this long-running work with the introduction of a new interpretive trail that links the Walkway over the Hudson to College Hill Park and shares the stories of Black residents with a new generation of visitors.

During the Feb. 23rd virtual event, which is open the public, Dutchess County Historical Society Executive Director Bill Jeffway will deliver an online presentation exploring this trail and the process of historical research and community advocacy behind its creation. Once installed, the western end of the new Walkway Freedom Trail will introduce the story of Sojourner Truth and local efforts to assist freedom seekers passing through the area. The eastern end of the trail is anchored at College Hill Park, where Frederick Douglass electrified an audience of thousands during his August 1858 visit to Poughkeepsie. Between these two points, visitors will learn the stories of otherwise forgotten individuals who demonstrated the moral courage and determination to strive in the face of oppression and prejudice. This forthcoming trail will elevate the stories of Africans and their descendants who lived locally and contributed to the diversity and development of Dutchess County despite many obstacles placed in their path.

For more information on the trail and to RSVP for the Feb. 23rd online discussion, please visit https://dchsny.org/walkway-freedom.