Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley

​Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley

Proposal deadline August 27, registration coming soon!

KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Hudson River Maritime Museum, The Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, TMI Project's Black Stories Matter, the Underground Railroad Education Center, and the Harambee Coalition and Pine Street African Burial Ground are proud to host the 2021 Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley, to be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, NY. The conference will be available for a limited number of attendees in-person, and will be simultaneously broadcast virtually via Zoom. 

The focus of this conference is the history of Black and African-American residents in the Hudson Valley, including communities and work along the canals and tributaries of the Hudson River. The Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley is open for researchers of all levels to apply as presenters. The general public is welcome to attend. 

The call for proposals is still open and the conference organizers encourage researchers of all levels to apply at www.hrmm.org/black-history-conference. Proposal deadline is Friday, August 27, 2021. Proposals and any questions should be emailed to conference@hrmm.org.

Everyone with an interest in Black history is invited to consult the Hudson Valley Black History Collaborative Research Guide, a project of the History Alliance of Kingston, for more information about Black history in the Hudson Valley. The guide is available on the conference page (www.hrmm.org/black-history-conference) and on the History Alliance of Kingston (HAK) website (www.historyallianceofkingston.org). Those with knowledge of additional resources not listed may add them for inclusion via the online form available on the HAK website.

The fee to attend is $30/person for in-person and $15/household for virtual access. Registration will be live on the Hudson River Maritime Museum website by the end of August.

This conference has the generous support of SUNY Ulster as a facilities sponsor, individual donors, and others. If you would like to sponsor the conference, including ticket scholarships, please visit www.hrmm.org/black-history-conference for more information on sponsorship levels and benefits.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.

The Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center promotes literacy through teaching and learning about the African roots experience, including history and culture, through a dynamic exchange of information, ideas, and creativity. Learn more at www.africanrootslibrary.org. 

TMI Project's mission is to help craft and amplify radically true stories to ignite human connection, challenge the status quo, and inspire both storytellers and listeners to take action for positive social change. Black Stories Matter provides Black-led true storytelling workshops where Black folks can write about, share, and reflect upon their experiences without having to justify, explain, or defend the truth of their lived experiences. The culminating content -- written stories, live storytelling performances, videos, and podcasts -- is accessible to an all-inclusive audience. We pair our storytelling media with strategic tools to inspire deep introspection, a willingness to transform oneself and take bold action to end systemic racism. Learn more at www.tmiproject.org/blackstoriesmatter. 

The Underground Railroad Education Center researches and preserves the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy for today’s social justice issues, thereby empowering people of all ages to be agents of change toward an equitable and just society. Learn more at www.undergroundrailroadhistory.org. 

Harambee a mid-Hudson valley coalition that supports and promotes the strength of our community through cultural and educational events that enriches the lives of youth and adults. Harambee also cares for and manages the Pine Street African Burial Ground. Learn more at www.harambeekingstonny.org. 

PHOTO
Members of the Lopez Radio Patrol, Hudson River Day Line security guards aboard the steamboat "Alexander Hamilton," September 6, 1971 (the last year of the Hamilton's Hudson River service). Photo by R. R. Haines. Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum.