Kingsley Heritage Celebration Schedule 2008

Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Living through a Time of Revolt: The Kingsleys and the War of 1812

Dr. James Cusick, Curator of the P. K. Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida

Learn about the “Other War of 1812” as Dr. Cusick describes Florida’s volatile situation in the years preceding Zephaniah Kingsley’s acquisition of the Fort George Island (Kingsley) Plantation. This political and social situation affected planters and slaves throughout northeast Florida on a daily basis. Dr. Cusick will also sign copies of his book The Other War of 1812: The Patriot War and the American Invasion of Spanish East Florida.

Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Shackles of Memory: Transatlantic Slave Trade Talk with Musical Presentation

Jean-Marc Masseaut, Educational Director, Study Center of the Shackles of Memory Association, Nantes, France, and the University of North Florida Brass Ensemble

Join us for a special exhibit and talk. A representative from Nantes, France will speak about that city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Visitors can also view a special exhibit from Nantes, and hear a brass ensemble performance by students from University of North Florida’s highly regarded music program. Presented through a partnership between the University of North Florida, Jacksonville Sister Cities Association, the City of Nantes (France), the City of Jacksonville and the National Park Service.

Saturday, February 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

Archaeology Walk and Talk: Recent Discoveries at Kingsley Plantation

Dr. James Davidson, Associate Professor of Anthropology and African American Studies, and the Florida Public Archaeology Network

Join Dr. Davidson for a guided walk of the slave quarters. Hear about archaeological finds at the slave quarters and plantation grounds from the 2006 and 2007 archaeology field schools. Discover how the people who were enslaved at this plantation can still speak to us through the objects they left behind.

Saturday, February 23, 2007, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Kingsley Heritage Celebration: Descendants’ Reunion

During a full afternoon of activities, learn more about plantation history through storytelling, music, dance, and history presentations. Meet descendants of the families who lived at Kingsley Plantation between the 1790s and 1890s. Hear about their family history in their own words, as they tell family stories or read letters written by their ancestors. Also featured will be an exhibit displaying historical and modern photographs of descendants.

Descendants will introduce each presentation and tell about their family history in their own words.

12:00

Youth with Something to Sing About!

100 Youth Inspirational Voices - Musical Theatre Program - Stage Aurora

Stage Aurora Theatrical Co., Inc. is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is 'to enlighten the mind by way of the arts through the African-American experience'. The Children and Educational Outreach Series is the backbone of Stage Aurora. Youth are given exposure to the arts through a camp designed to introduce youth to music, song, and dance. They fully experience the joy of theatre.

1:00

Researching Your Family History

Ann Stoddard, Professor of Education, University of North Florida, Retired

Learn how to research your ancestry. Dr. Stoddard will share the story of her quest to track down her Native American, African American, and White ancestors. She will explain how you can begin to discover your family’s genealogy.

2:00

Stories That Fly!

Deborah Strahorn, Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia

Ms. Strahorn uses rhythm and rhyme to make stories come alive! Ms. Strahorn joins us at the Kingsley Heritage Celebration from Atlanta, Georgia. Audiences are invited to engage in multicultural stories through the use of song, sound, motion and props. After the general storytelling performance, Ms. Stahorn will present a special children’s program where kids can learn more about storytelling, craft their own stories, and earn a Junior Ranger badge.

3:00

Zephaniah Kingsley, World Traveler: A Guided Letter Reading

Dr. Daniel Schafer, Professor of History at the University of North Florida

Follow Zephaniah Kingsley on his journeys around the world through the letters he wrote during 1804-1806 and 1812-1814. Listen as the letters are read by Kingsley descendants. Dr. Schafer will narrate this story of Kingsley’s life and travels.

4:00

Homage to the Ancestors

African Caribbean Dance Theatre, Inc.

Experience a dance performance by the Tallahassee-based African Caribbean Dance Theater, Inc. Their presentation involves a lot of passion – African Caribbean drumming and dance will end the day at the Slave Quarters.

12:00 to 3:00

St. George Episcopal Church Tours and Fish Fry

Don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to get a free guided tour of the National Register listed St. George Episcopal Church, built in 1882. The fish fry is provided by the church as a community event.

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