Discussion Groups

2007 Underground Railroad Discussion Groups

PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Dive deeper into the Underground Railroad. Hear about recent research and enjoy presentations from guest speakers talking on cutting edge topics in our local heritage. There will be ample time to join other interested individuals in open discussion with the presenters.

Much is accomplished when people gather together. Public gatherings in the 1800’s were instrumental in the Anti-Slavery Movement. These Discussion Groups are just one of the ways CASS acts as a catalyst for civic engagement, giving people a reason to come together.

Whether you are a resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania or a welcome visitor, come… sit a spell and dig deeper into our history. Uncover this powerful, forgotten story.

BEST SUITED FOR ADULTS – MAY NOT FIT THE INTEREST LEVELS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MAJOR FUNDING PARTNERS FOR THESE PUBLIC PROGRAMS

GUEST SPEAKER:
Madame Denise Dennis,
Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust

TOPIC:
Gershom Prince and Bristol Budd Sampson: Northeastern Pennsylvania’s African American Patriots of the Revolutionary War

10:00 am – Noon
Barnes & Noble Booksellers,
Arena Hub Plaza,
Wilkes-Barre PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Hughes Library
1002 North 9th Street,
Stroudsburg PA

Madame Denise Dennis grew up in Wilkes-Barre and is the author of three books, Black History for Beginners, A Century of Greatness, and co-author of the novel Becoming His Father’s Son. She is a direct descendant of Judith and Prince Perkins, free African Americans who were one of the first families to come from Connecticut to northeastern Pennsylvania and build homes and settlements, arriving in 1793. Today, Ms. Dennis serves as President of the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust, which was established to preserve the history and natural environment of the Dennis Farm in Susquehanna County where her family first settled, and which has remained theirs to the present.

Madame Dennis will be discussing her rich heritage, specifically that of her ancestors – patriots of the Revolutionary War.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Cynthia Wooden,
The Center for Anti-Slavery Studies

TOPIC:
Northeast Women Mobilize:
The Soldiers’ Aide Society,
Precursor to the American Red Cross

10:00 am – Noon
The Catlin House
Lackawanna Historical Society
232 Monroe Avenue
Scranton PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Downtown Grounds
42 Church Street
Montrose PA

In honor of Women’s History Month, Cynthia brings forth the little-known history of how the women of this region mobilized during the time of our nation’s greatest struggle and effected great change that would eventually reach a national level.

Cynthia is the secretary of the Board of Directors for the Center for Anti-Slavery Studies and is active in preserving this region’s history. In addition to her work with CASS, she has worked with the Susquehanna County Historical Society to research and develop a series of walking tours of historic Montrose, Susquehanna County’s seat.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Brenda W. Cave-James

TOPIC:
The Reverend Jermaine W. Loguen:
The New York UGRR King’s Activities in Pennsylvania

10:00 am – Noon
Barnes & Noble Booksellers,
Arena Hub Plaza,
Wilkes-Barre PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Hughes Library
1002 North 9th Street,
Stroudsburg PA
Although Brenda now resides in southern New York state, her ancestors hailed from Northeastern Pennsylvania, stemming back to a marriage between a gentleman from New Milford (who had escaped from slavery) and a lady from the Clark family of Clarks Summit.

Brenda has studied the activities of the “New York Underground Railroad King”, Reverend Jermain Loguen and will be discussing his activities in both Pennsylvania (where he pastored the AME Zion Church in Montrose) and New York. Your eyes will truly be opened to this region’s importance on the Underground Railroad once you hear of this remarkable man and his activities.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Robert Veleker,
The Endless Mountains Heritage Region

TOPIC:
Projects That Succeed:
The Importance of Heritage Project Development

10:00 am – Noon
Barnes & Noble Booksellers,
Arena Hub Plaza,
Wilkes-Barre PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Hughes Library
1002 North 9th Street,
Stroudsburg PA
Bob is the Executive Director of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region. The EMHR specializes in leading projects toward success by providing funding, technical assistance and strategic guidance from concept to implementation.

Even if you are not involved in a heritage project, this program will be intriguing to you. You’ll begin to understand how communities go about identifying and preserving their priceless heritage assets before they are lost to time. You’ll also see that history needs an audience, and how we can bring history to the people more effectively.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Constance Wynn, R.A.C.E. Team
(Rediscovering Ancestry through Culture & Education)

TOPIC:
The Life of Emerson Moss:
An African American In Wilkes-Barre

10:00 am – Noon
Barnes & Noble Booksellers,
Arena Hub Plaza,
Wilkes-Barre PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Hughes Library
1002 North 9th Street,
Stroudsburg PA

Emerson I. Moss was a prominent citizen of Luzerne County and the author of the book, African Americans in the Wyoming Valley: 1778-1990.

Perhaps no one is more qualified to speak on the life of Emerson Moss than his niece, Constance Wynn. Constance was Emerson’s companion and loving caretaker during the last years of his life. She continues his work of preserving the vital history of the Wyoming Valley’s elderly citizens of color before they pass on. This program will touch and inspire you as you hear of this incredible family’s lives and legacy.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Karen James,
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

TOPIC:
The State of Underground Railroad Research in Pennsylvania

10:00 am – Noon
The Catlin House
Lackawanna Historical Society
232 Monroe Avenue
Scranton PA

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Downtown Grounds
42 Church Street
Montrose PA

Perhaps no one has made such an impact on Underground Railroad research in Pennsylvania as Karen James. As the PHMC’s coordinator of UGRR in the state, Karen has worked tirelessly traveling across the Commonwealth to educate people in the value of putting scholarship back into the Underground Railroad.

With her no-nonsense approach to this history, Karen continues to research, educate and raise the bar – determined to eradicate the myths and misconceptions that have plagued Underground Railroad in the past. Karen certainly has her finger on the pulse of what is going on in the state and this will most certainly be an interesting and stimulating discussion that you won’t want to miss!

Acknowledgements

These discussion groups are a Public Program of “The Place I Call Home.” CASS gratefully acknowledges the support of our funders and our community partners.

Special thanks to these specific partners for making this series of Discussion Groups available to the public at no charge.