FLORENCE-The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library will be celebrating Black History Month all of February. Here are some of the events and programs the library will be offering.
Poetry & Praise
Saturday, February 1, 12:30 pm in the Colonnade
Join us for a celebration of Black History, as performers share poetry and songs, and a praise dance group performs. Poetry will include works from Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, James Weldon Johnson, and more. This event is coordinated by Peggy Clay. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 15.
Queen: the Story Behind the Novel
Tuesday, February 4, 11:30 am in the Colonnade
Presented by Lee Freeman and Curtis Flowers
This program will be an in-depth exploration of Alex Haley’s grandmother, Queen, as presented in the novel Queen: the Story of an American Family. Facts will be separated from fiction as participants discover the truths of this legendary character through actual historical records. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 30.
Gospel Music: A Retrospective
Sunday, February 9, 2 pm in the Colonnade
Explore the importance of African based gospel music, its rich tradition and relevance in the iconic African-American Church, past and present. Learn about the history of the African-American Church through music, as several local church choirs, groups, or ensembles perform. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 15.
Up from Slavery: The Black Community in Florence after the Civil War
Tuesday, February 11, 11:30am in the Colonnade
Presented by Lee Freeman
This program will examine the rise and remarkable growth of the black community in Florence from 1865 to 1935. The program will examine the social, business, political, educational and religious life of the black community as it made the transition from slavery to freedom. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 30.
Black History: A Learning Session
Saturday, February 15, 10:30 am in Youth Services
Covers art, literature, games, etc for children.
For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 15.
Public History and the African American Experience
Tuesday, February 18, 11 am in the Colonnade
Presented by Dr. Carolyn Barske
Practitioners of public history, including historic preservationists, museum administrators and cultural resource managers, have historically struggled to interpret and preserve resources and stories associated with African American communities. However, in recent years projects like the Birmingham Civil Rights Historic District and the Selma Civil Rights Historic District have opened the door to thinking about how resources in black communities can be preserved and protected. This talk will trace the connections between African American communities and the field of Public History. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 22.
Breaking Through the Brick Walls of Black Genealogy
Saturday, February 22, 9am–4pm in the Conference Room
Pre-registration required. Call 256-764-6564 ext. 30
Presented by Lee Freeman
This all-day seminar/workshop is designed especially for genealogists researching African-American ancestors. How does one research black ancestors in the antebellum slavery period? Was/were a person’s ancestor(s) slave or free? What kinds of records were kept and are they available now? This workshop will give students tools for completing such research and answering questions about the generations before them. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 30.
Generations: Celebrating a Jazz Experience
Saturday, February 22, 11am in the Colonnade
Much of the jazz enjoyed today has its roots or origins in the heritage and cultures of Africa and the African-American community. This program seeks to encourage further dialogue and educate its audience about this vitally important music genre. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 15.
Mosaic Templars of America
Tuesday, February 25, 11:30am
Presented by Thomas McKnight
The Mosaic Templars of America (MTA) was an African-American fraternal organization that sold burial insurance and whose presence throughout Alabama, particularly northwest Alabama, was of great significance. Though headstones marking members’ existence can be found scattered throughout city, church, and private cemeteries, as well as on farmland, knowledge of the organization’s existence, purpose, and membership were unknown until research brought to light the organization’s history and some of its members. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 30.