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February: GVSHP celebrates African-American History Month

undated photo
undated photo

Since 1976, the United States has celebrated Black History Month, also called African-American History Month, in February. Some of our upcoming public programs will join in this celebration.

On Thursday, February 4th, historian Joyce Gold will present a lecture and slideshow at the Hudson Park Library about the history of the African-American community in the South Village. This area, known for many years as “Little Africa” is located near the present-day intersection of 6th Avenue and Bleecker Street. Joyce has been researching this area and gathering historic images, and she always delivers an informative and interesting program.

If you’d like to learn more about this program or make a reservation to attend, click here.

Later in the month, on Wednesday, February 24th, we will present a book talk with Donald Papson and his new book, “Secret Lives of the Underground Railroad in New York City.” His talk will focus on the section of the book that deals with Sydney Howard Gay, a Greenwich Village resident who became an ardent abolitionist and supported the covert network that supported and protected African-Americans escaping slavery in the South.

Otis Kidwell Burger, great-granddaughter of Sydney Howard Gay will be with us that evening to say a few words. You can learn more here.

minettaplaceTo learn more about the history of African-Americans in the Greenwich Village area, you can read some of these previous Off the Grid blog posts:

Spring Street Presbyterian Church (an early abolitionist congregation)

Marking African-American History Month in the Village

African Americans in the South Village

Civil War Draft Riots

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