Park Celebrates African American History Month with Special Program

Date: February 6, 2012
Contact: Andrea DeKoter, 315.568.0024

Seneca Falls, NY - Women's Rights National Historical Park celebrates both African American History Month and the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War with a special program by Ranger David Malone on Saturday, February 25 at 11 a.m. in the Guntzel Theater, located in the park's Visitor Center at 136 Fall Street in downtown Seneca Falls.

Ranger Malone's program, entitled "Fighting for their Freedom: African Americans in the Civil War," examines the contributions of African Americans to both the northern and southern armies during the Civil War. African American regiments comprised about 10% of the Union Army, while in the South they provided labor for the Confederate forces. Though African American troops were originally scorned in the North, they were later credited by President Lincoln for making a significant contribution to a northern victory, leading him to advocate voting rights for African Americans in his second inaugural address.

Visitors are invited to join Ranger Malone in exploring how African Americans participated in the war that would end slavery. Light refreshments will be served following the program. Visitors are also invited to a screening of the 50-minute documentary Voices of Civil Rights, part of the park's celebration of African American History Month and its first annual Winter Film Festival. The film begins at 12 p.m. in the Guntzel Theater.  

For more information about this event, please call [phone]. You can also follow the park's social media sites for Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/womensrightsnps) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/WomensRightsNPS) to learn more about our upcoming programs.