Mon, Feb 13
|Online Event
Abolitionists of Noyes Academy
Dan Billin plumbs the depths of anti-abolitionist sentiment in early 19th century New England, and the courage of three friends destined for greatness. An RSVP is not required, but your response allows us to send you an event reminder and any other important updates.
Time & Location
Feb 13, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Online Event
About the Event
Abolitionists of Noyes Academy
With historian and reporter Dan Billin.
{This program is made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities "Humanities to Go" program.}
American slavery divided not just the North from the South, but also northerners from each other. In the mid-1830s, the emergence of an aggressive abolitionist movement provoked fierce blowback-including widespread mob violence in the North. Canaan, N.H., became one of many New England flashpoints after abolitionists there opened a school for all students, regardless of race or gender. Young Black men and women flocked to Noyes Academy but were soon driven away by a voter-sanctioned mob that dragged their school building a half-mile down the main street and threatened them with death. Students who passed through that fire-Julia Williams, Henry Highland Garnet and Alexander Crummell-went on to extraordinary careers in the fight against slavery and for Black civil rights. Historian Dan Billin presents an illustrated lecture that plumbs the depths of anti-abolitionist sentiment in antebellum New Hampshire and the courage of Black students who were destined for greatness.
Dan Billin worked as a newspaper reporter in the Granite State for seventeen years. His nose for a story and years of relentless research have brought to light a wealth of detail about the shocking and long-forgotten tale of Noyes Academy and the Black students who dared to seek an education here.