Long Island, well-known to be an historical stop along the Underground Railroad, has several significant sites, including churches, homes and museums visitors can explore Also, special events and exhibits throughout the area - at libraries, museums, and theaters offer new ways to appreciate the African-American experience.
Local sites of interest include:
Cedarmere in Roslyn Harbor, the historic property of prominent 19th-century poet, newspaper editor and civic leader William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878). This site includes the Bryant home and several other structures on a beautiful seven-acre property overlooking Roslyn Harbor. Cedarmere served as the rural Long Island home of Bryant from 1843 until his death in 1878. Bryant was an outspoken supporter of the anti-slavery movement. The estate was left to Nassau County to preserve as a memorial to Bryant.
Joseph Lloyd Manor House in Lloyd Harbor, where a privileged slave, Jupiter Hammon lived. Educated by the family he lived with, he became the first published black poet in the U.S. He also wrote "An Address to the Negroes of New York State" in 1787, seeking freedom for fellow slaves. Nearby is the Henry Lloyd House, where he was born in 1711.
Other historic sites include slave cemeteries on the grounds of the William Floyd Estate, an historic site open to the public in Mastic Beach, and the Tuthill slave cemetery in Orient.
To honor Black History Month, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Preservation celebrates with exhibits and paintings from some of America's greatest black artists, as well as posters saluting black abolitionists, pioneers, scientists, educators, horticulturists and ecologists. The exhibits are designed to educate visitors about the rich African American culture. Exhibits are on display throughout the month at Montauk Downs State Park, Jones Beach State Park, Connetquot River State Park, as well as Long Island State Parks headquarters in North Babylon.
Artistic Visions
At the African-American Museum in Hempstead, Black History Month is being celebrated through special exhibits. One focuses on posters and other items created for the campaign of President Barack Obama and a second featuring the work of Long Island commercial artist and photographer Anthony Barboza. Both exhibits run through March 10.
The "Road to the Presidency" features the work of artists who contributed images used on posters for the Obama campaign, with more than 100 posters and other items on display. Among the works on view are photographs from the 2008 Democratic Party convention taken by Long Island native Alice Attie. In 2003, Attie published a photographic study of the economic and cultural changes taking place in Harlem, "Harlem on the Verge." In addition, the exhibit incorporates images of Barack Obama done by members of the Long Island Black Artists Association.
The second featured exhibit, "Souls of Black Genius: Images of Afro-Americans' Sounds, Thoughts and Visions," showcases the work of Barboza, who since 1969 has worked as a commercial photographer for a broad range of prominent corporate clients. Barboza's editorial work has also appeared in such publications as Esquire, Essence and Sports Illustrated. The exhibit includes 62 photographs spanning the length of Barboza's career, including portraits of prominent African American entertainers, writers and politicians.
Hofstra University commemorates Black History Month with various activities, including Out of Africa: Works From The Hofstra University Museum Collection and a viewing of the film "The Great Debaters."
The "Out of Africa" exhibit, on view through March 1 in Hofstra University Museum's David Filderman Galler in the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, showcases 26 works produced from the late 19th to 20th centuries in three thematic sections. Artifacts include headdresses, weapons, tools and figurative sculptures from nine countries located in western and central Africa, including Cote d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All pieces give expression to a number of Sub-Saharan cultures and enable visitors to appreciate their aesthetic value in relation to their original functions.
"This exhibition provides an opportunity to spotlight the Hofstra University Museum's rich collection of African art," said Director of the Hofstra University Museum Beth E. Levinthal. "Audiences can take a closer look at the meaning and significance of the art while gaining a greater application for its aesthetic impact. Viewers also discover the rich cultural traditions that continue to influence art of the present-day."
The persecution of blacks in the Jim Crow south of the 1930s is a theme of Denzel Washington's film, "The Great Debaters," which receives a showing at Hofstra's Mack Student Center on Feb. 26. It tells the story of the unlikely triumph of the all-black Wiley College's debate team in Marshall, Tex., in 1935.
Still other exhibits can be seen at Molloy College and Nassau Community College. The Long Island Black Artists Association presents a selection of work from its more than 150 members in the Art Gallery in Molloy College's Kellenberg Hall. The wide range of artwork on display includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photography. It runs through March 27.
At Nassau Community College, "African Stone Art by Masimba," features a range of stone art collected by the artist during his travels to Zimbabwe. It can be seen in the College Center Building Lobby, through Feb. 27.
For The Kids
The fascinating stories that were told in quilts during the days of the Underground Railroad are examined at Long Island's Children's Museum. Kids ages five and up can discover how patterns in quilts were used to communicate messages to runaway slaves on their secret journey north. After learning about these important symbols and shapes, participants can design a meaningful quilt pattern to take home. The Freedom Quilts program is offered Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.
On the calendar: Black History Month eventsThursday, Feb. 19
Film Festival: Huntington's Cinema Arts Centre presents films focusing on the black experience, including "Cadillac Records," about the early rock music era; "Slaying Goliath," a documentary on a Harlem basketball team; and "Made in Jamaica," a tribute to reggae leaders. Through March 18. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. (631) 423-7611 or go to cinemaartscentre.org
Transformation Stories: Children through sixth grade are invited to hear stories from Africa and around the world, 2 p.m. Baldwin Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin. (516) 223-6228.
Friday, Feb. 20
World Harvest Storyteller: Featuring musician, songwriter and performer Ayodele Maakheru in his "World Harvest," storytelling and celebration of Black History Month, 7:30 p.m. Freeport Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd., Freeport. (516) 379-3274.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Lecture: The day-to-day life as a slave at Joseph Lloyd Manor is presented by Jenna Coplin, director of research and outreach for the Center for Public Archaeology at Hofstra, in an examination of the African-American community and culture of 18th century slave quarters at Lloyd Manor, 2 p.m. Community Church of East Williston, Roslyn Rd. and Hillside Ave. (516) 538-7679 or nassaucountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Music: Great Sounds of Jazz is a musical salute to Black History Month, presented by the Mark Peterson Trio, 3-5 p.m. New York Institute of Technology's David G. Salten Hall, Northern Blvd., Old Westbury. (516) 686-7640.
Music and Dance Program: BiLlee T and Marcia Phar Thomas perform songs from big bands, Broadway, Motown and gospel music, 2:30-4 p.m. Freeport Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd., Freeport.(516) 379-3274.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Film Screening: "October 16," a short film by Keith Robinson that deals with the struggle of a young African-American male singer trying to overcome the death of his younger brother in the Iraq war, 2:30 p.m. The screening is followed by a discussion with Robinson. Nassau Community's College's College Center Building, Nassau Community College, 1 Education Dr., Garden City. (516) 572-7376.
Readings: Short readings by Hofstra students, faculty, staff and administrators from works by or about people of African descent, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Hofstra University's Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library-South Campus, Hempstead.
(516) 463-6431.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Lecture: Actress-model Camara "Yaya" DaCosta lectures and discusses "Preservation: of Self, of Culture, of Earth," Nassau Community College's College Center Building, 11:30 a.m. 1 Education Dr., Garden City. (516) 572-7376.
Film Screening: "The Great Debaters," the unlikely triumph of the all-black Wiley College's debate team in Marshall, Tex., in 1935, 6 -8:30 p.m. A discussion of the film follows. Hofstra University's Mack Student Center Theater,
North Campus, Hempstead.
Friday, Feb. 27
"Growing Up Daddy": Kayo Charles from Urbintel Inc. performs play about a young black man in a hospital waiting room contemplating the birth of a child, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. (second show reservations only). African-American Museum, 110 N. Franklin St., Hempstead.
(516) 572-0730.
