Dear VA-Histers, 
 
On Thursday, October 9, 2003, the Library of Virginia will host
"Unboxing the Past" a day-long event examining research on and
interpretation of the Underground Railroad, abolitionism, and slavery in
Virginia.  The event is cosponsored by the Library of Virginia
Foundation and the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
(A.C.O.R.N.)  A detailed program and registration form can be found at
http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whoweare/events/boxbrownsymposium.pdf.
  
The event will open in the morning with presentations by Library of
Virginia archivists on sources for the study of African American life,
slave resistance, and the Underground Railroad at the Library.  A
noontime lecture and book signing with Jeffrey Ruggles, author of the
recently published The Unboxing of Henry Brown, will follow.  The book
chronicles the amazing life of Henry Box Brown, the daring fugitive who
shipped himself out of slavery in a sealed box and who later became an
abolitionist activist in New England and a performer for a
quarter-century on the English stage.  An afternoon bus tour of Richmond
will focused on sites related to antebellum African American life and
culture in general and Henry Box Brown's story in particular.  Finally,
Ruggles will be joined by a number of prominent historians for a panel
discussion on issues related to studying the Underground Railroad,
including the role of abolitionists and escaped slaves in the North and
England, the experience of slaves in Virginia and attempts to win
freedom, and how these themes have been interpreted in exhibitions,
monuments, and other public venues.
 
The registration fee is $25, which includes the morning session, a box
lunch, and the bus tour of Richmond sites.  The lunchtime talk, book
signing, and the evening program are open to the public.  A group
discount is available.  Please feel free to email me for further
details.
 
Gregg D. Kimball
Director of Publications
  and Educational Services
Library of Virginia
804/692-3722
[log in to unmask]
Support the Library of Virginia
<https://www.vipnet.org/lov/donation.cgi>  
 

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html