More Exciting Programs Coming Your Way!

In honor of Black History Month in February, the Sharon Historical Society is proud to present two captivating programs exploring the rich history and enduring legacy of Black New Yorkers. Join us on February 9th for “Routes To Freedom: Upstate New York and the Underground Railroad”, a journey through the courageous paths to freedom that crisscrossed our region. The second program will be held on February 23rd: “Building New York: The Black Experience from Colony to Statehood”, which traces the vital contributions of Black communities in shaping the Empire State from its earliest days. Both programs promise engaging stories, powerful insights, and a deeper understanding of New York’s Black history.

More information on each program is available below.

FEBRUARY 9th - 7 PM via Zoom

Program Summary:

“Routes To Freedom: Upstate New York and the Underground Railroad” invites audiences into a dramatic, little-known chapter of American history where ordinary people made extraordinary choices. Through vivid storytelling, real locations, and powerful figures like Harriet Tubman, Jermain Wesley Loguen, and the citizens of Syracuse who openly defied federal law, this program brings the Underground Railroad to life as a bold, coordinated movement rooted in faith, courage, and community. From canal towns and farmhouses to church basements and city streets, participants will discover how Upstate New York became a critical corridor to freedom—and how moral conviction transformed everyday men and women into agents of change. This program is not just history; it is a gripping, human story of risk, resistance, and the enduring fight for justice.

Click the button below to register for this program.

Click here to register to attend this program

FEBRUARY 23rd - 7 PM via Zoom

Program Summary:

"Building New York: The Black Experience from Colony to Statehood" uncovers the powerful, often overlooked story of how Black New Yorkers—enslaved and free—helped build the foundations of the state we know today. From the earliest days of Dutch colonization through the American Revolution and emancipation, this program reveals how Black labor, culture, resistance, and community shaped New York’s cities, farms, infrastructure, and ideals of freedom itself. Through vivid storytelling and grounded historical insight, participants will explore untold stories of survival, resilience, and leadership that challenge traditional narratives and offer a fuller, more honest picture of New York’s past. This is not just a history lesson—it’s a compelling journey into the lives and legacies that still shape our state today.

Click the button below to register for this program.

Click here to register to attend this program

The Sharon Historical Society's Lecture Series is available at no charge to SHS members as part of their membership benefit. Non-members are asked to make a donation to help cover the cost of making the lecture series possible. There is an option to join the Sharon Historical Society when you register. As always, we appreciate your support of the Sharon Historical Society!

(If you would like to hear a playback of a previous program, click on the topic below and follow the directions on that page.)