Illustrated Lecture! Standing Up For Freedom: Challenges to Syracuse’s 19th Century Abolitionists

CONTACT: Dennis Connors

                     Curator of History

                     315 428-1864, x 310

                     djcoha@juno.com

 

Syracuse developed a national reputation in the mid-19^th century as a stronghold of abolitionist and anti-slavery activity.  The roles of local ministers Samuel May, Jermain Loguen and others who were involved in the Underground Railroad have been documented.  And the story and site of the Jerry Rescue is marked with interpretive signs and a dramatic monument.  But these advocates of freedom faced constant challenges in their own community since not every local resident agreed with their stance.

 

On February 10 at 2 pm, Onondaga Historical Association curator of history Dennis Connors will present a lecture at the OHA Museum that explores some of the events where abolitionists and, later, Lincoln supporters faced strong opposition and even violence. 

 

In the 1830s, citizens held meetings to denounce local abolitionists.  In 1852, residents wishing to commemorate the first anniversary of the Jerry Rescue were denied access to City Hall.  In 1861, abolitionist leaders Samuel May and Susan B. Anthony were burned in effigy in Hanover Square .  And in March of 1863, a gang of nearly 100 men attacked several local African-Americans following a city election victory of Copperhead Democrats.  The Copperheads opposed President Lincoln’s handling of the Civil War, did not welcome that year’s Emancipation Proclamation and opposed the drafting of soldiers that had just been approved by Congress.  That March conscription law would lead to a much more violent riot in New York City four months later.

 

The challenges facing those who worked for decades in Syracuse to support the cause of freeing America ’s millions of slaves were real.  This program, offered during Black History Month, will shed light on some of those challenges and help place the efforts of people like May, Loguen, Anthony and others in the often emotional context of the times.

 

Admission to the OHA Museum at 321 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse is free but there is a fee for the lecture of $3 at the door.  OHA members are free.  For more information, contact the OHA at 428-1864.

OHA Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

Contact: Robert Tyson, Chairperson,

Executive Director Search Committee

Attorney, Bond Schoeneck & King,

Direct Dial # 315-218-8221

RTyson@bsk.com

 

The Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center (OHA) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Gregg A. Tripoli as Executive Director of OHA, effectively immediately.

Mr. Tripoli is an accomplished executive with extensive international experience in a broad range of business affairs.  For twenty years, he has advised and represented large multinational corporations owned by a leading merchant family of Kuwait.  He has served as project manager with total project responsibility in Italy, San Marino, Egypt, United Kingdom, West Indies, Canada, Brazil and the United States (including New York, New Jersey, California and Colorado.)

 

Mr. Tripoli has extensive experience in property management, real estate development, lease negotiations, corporate restructuring and streamlining, human resources, business development, risk management, and strategic planning.  His demonstrated management skills will complement the OHA staff’s well-recognized knowledge of local and state history and their experience in the museum and archives field. 

 

A native of Liverpool, NY, Mr. Tripoli is a graduate of Hamilton College (B.A., English and History) and holds an M.B.A. from Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

 

The board of directors would like to acknowledge the service of Thomas Hunter as interim executive director from June 2006 to the present date.  Mr. Hunter will continue to serve OHA as Assistant Executive Director and Curator of Collections.

 

OHA’s mission is to inspire people’s understanding that the history we share as a community is the foundation for our future together.  OHA operates a public Museum and Research Center in downtown Syracuse’s Montgomery Street – Columbus Circle Historic District.