Underground Railroad Archives - Ramblin' with Roger

Underground Railroad and Frederick Douglass

Albany Symphony Orchestra

This week, it feels like the Underground Railroad and Frederick Douglass all the time.

Friday, July 4th: Oration at the Underground Railroad Education Center, 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany, 11 am-1 pm. New York State’s Investment in the Institution of Enslavement and Its Legacy Today. The speaker will be Lavada Nahon, culinary historian and interpreter of African American history with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Nell Stokes, long time community activist and supporter of UREC will share her poetry. Maggie D’Aversa, weaving artist, will share her storytelling coverlet.

Saturday, July 5: Frederick Douglass’ What To The Slave Is the Fourth of July, 2 pm. Location: Peterboro United Methodist Church, 5240 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro, NY 13134. Parts of the famous 1852 speech to be delivered by Owen Corpin.

ASO

Sunday, July 6: Water Music New York: More Voices – Schuylerville, Hudson Crossing Park, County Road 42, Schuylerville, NY, 1-10 pm. As part of the Erie Canal bicentennial commemoration, the Albany Symphony, the NYS Canal Corporation, and Hudson Crossing Park are presenting a festival day celebrating the rich, multifaceted history of Washington and Saratoga Counties, with an emphasis on the experiences of Black Americans, culminating in a free orchestra concert at 8 pm that will feature a thrilling world-premiere composition by DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain) inspired by the legacy and life of Solomon Northup.

Among the many PRE-CONCERT EVENTS & PERFORMANCES between 1 and 6 pm: at 4:00 PM – Songs of Freedom with the Underground Railroad Education Center at the Pavilion.

Author talk re: Douglass.

Tuesday, July 8: Author Talk – John J. (Jack) Hanrahan, PhD, discusses and reads from his history/travel book, Traveling Freedom’s Road: Frederick Douglass in Maryland., 2:00 pm–3:30 pm. Location: the 161 Washington Avenue branch of the Albany Public Library, Large Auditorium, sponsored by the Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library.

The book combines “a narrative on Douglass’s historical links to Maryland with detailed travel information guiding readers to over four dozen Douglass-related sites in Baltimore and on the Eastern Shore. At each recommended stop, the book details the great man’s connections to that place and provides a short selection relating to that location from his voluminous writing or his inspiring speeches.

“When asked why he added these ‘Douglass Speaks’ selections, author John Hanrahan noted, ‘It’s a moving experience just to visit the places that were part of Douglass’s life in Maryland, but that experience is amplified when one can read his words that connect with that place. The power of place and the power of Douglass’s words help us to know this great American better.'”

Can’t be everywhere all at once

Frankfort

Despite the movie title, I can’t be everywhere all at once. That seems obvious on two April weekends. The Friday before Palm Sunday, my wife and I went down to south central Pennsylvania to attend a wedding. This took much longer than we anticipated. Leaving around 10:30 a.m., we took I-87 to I-287 and ultimately traveled west on the route that was formerly I-78 before reaching the local roads. We didn’t arrive at our hotel until 6:00 p.m.

The wedding of our niece, Markia, and her fiancé, Brandon, on Saturday was lovely, and the reception was equally nice. I will likely write more about this at some point.

The next morning, we traveled from southern Pennsylvania to the Binghamton, New York area. One of my oldest friends, Carol, along with her brother, sister, and other relatives, was having a celebration of life for Carol’s mom, Lillian Bakic, who died a few months ago. It was at a country club outside the city, which I had never been to.

A bunch of us got up and spoke briefly about Lillian, and I was feeling compelled to do so in part because Karen, who Carol and I have known since 1958, couldn’t make it because, bizarrely, there was a snowstorm in western Massachusetts. In April.

So obviously we didn’t make it to church. It was amusing that both my wife and I had people emailing or texting us, asking why they hadn’t seen us at church. We made it to church despite an ice storm and a threat of a snowstorm in February. We don’t come one weekend, and folks pointed it out.

Split screen

Two weeks later, on Friday night, there was an event at Wizard’s Wardrobe, where my wife works, to celebrate the tutors and other volunteers. I attended last year and had a good time.

However, the Underground Railroad Education Center (UREC) held an appreciation tea for those who have supported the program simultaneously. Congressman Paul Tonko was present and spoke briefly about recovering the IMLS and EPA funds that were allocated but DOGE-frozen.

At least three people asked me where my wife was, wanting to talk with her, needed to call her, mentioned they had seen her around, etc..

Later, my wife said that if I had been at the Wizard’s Wardrobe event and been on their team, maybe their team would have won the contest. There was a category about Beatles songs; the host would play 10-second snippets, and they had to pick the title. One was I’m Happy Just To Dance With You, which I realize could be a slightly tricky title. They also couldn’t name The Ballad Of John And Yoko.

There was also a question about the number of states that have a capital starting with the letter F. I didn’t know; the only one I could think of was Frankfort, KY, which turns out to be the only one. Someone else on their team had suggested Frankfort, but said it was the capital of Tennessee (which is Nashville), which didn’t sound right, so they went with the answer of ‘none’.

I have said this before: if people are bored, they are just not trying hard enough.

Donate to UREC now

The Interpretive Center

I received the April 2025 monthly e-blast from the Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany, an entity I have supported financially. It was uncharacteristically dire. The message said, “Thank you for your support! Please share.” So I shared.

Donate to UREC now while you still can. Write to your Legislators

ITEM: The Museum Studies Teen Program is designed to prepare high school students to seek employment in the museum field. The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, an open grant supporting Lacey Wilson’s Project Director position for the Museum Studies Teen Program, has been negatively impacted. On 3/31/25, IMLS was forced to place 85% of its staff on administrative leave and cancel all open grants.

(Not incidentally, the IMLS may be affecting the New York State Library, and museums and libraries across the United States.)

ITEM: UREC is in the process of building an Interpretive Center. However, funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been imperiled.

The NEH, which awarded the Interpretive Center a $250,000 grant, has been negatively impacted. NEH had 80% of its staff put on indefinite administrative leave, and all open grants were canceled.

The EPA, which awarded UREC $3.6 million toward the Interpretive Center as part of an 8-group collaborative that received an award of $20,000,000, has had its funds frozen.

Write!

Use this link – https://www.congressweb.com/aam/94 – to send your comments to your elected officials. The template letter provided at this link needs personalization. Here is a suggested text for your use – – – – –

The Underground Railroad Education Center receives funding from IMLS to support the planning and implementation of a Museum Studies Teen Program, which is designed to prepare high school students to seek employment in the museum field. This program introduces students to the vast array of job possibilities within the museum field and the value of museums to the health, well-being, and financial sustainability of our communities. As a workforce development program, it will support the development of “hard skills” relevant to specific jobs in the museum field and “soft skills” such as a strong work ethic and positive attitude, which are crucial for success in any workplace.

Likewise, the Underground Railroad Education Center has an open grant with NEH for $250,000 to support the building of a community center highlighting community history and culture. This center will provide jobs for community residents, transform educational experiences, and attract thousands of visitors. IMLS and the NEH must honor their commitments to support the life-changing educational programming offered by the Underground Railroad Education Center.

IMLS and the NEH must honor their commitments to support the Underground Railroad Education Center’s life-changing educational programming.

Arias in the Afternoon

geothermal infrastructure

At the end of September, my wife and I attended a fundraiser entitled Arias in the Afternoon. It celebrated the Underground Railroad Education Center, which has been researching and sharing, through conferences and public presentations, the story of the Underground Railroad in Albany and beyond for the past two decades.

A key element of the exploration has been the discovery of the former residence of Stephen and Harriet Myers, prominent leaders of the Underground Railroad in Albany during the 1850s, at 194 Livingston Avenue, which is currently the base of operations of UREC.

UREC “needs more space to expand its empowering interpretive programs and community engagement opportunities, and to develop new programs and ways to interact with the community far and wide.” Also, the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence could be restored “to its period of historic relevance.”

Here’s a description of the forthcoming Interpretive Center. After attending the groundbreaking ceremony a few months ago, I discovered that the building’s construction is environmentally sound. “The Center will contain a geothermal infrastructure and be designed according to Living Building Challenge of Sustainability standards for green buildings, which focuses on a regenerative built environment, aligning with and meeting the zero-greenhouse gas emission standards set by New York State’s Gov. Hochul. The building will incorporate surrounding green spaces… deliberately designed to enhance health benefits in the neighborhood.”

Argus Hotel

The Arias event was at the Argus Hotel. I’ve only lived in Albany since 1979, so I hadn’t heard of The Argus Hotel. Where is it? 8 Thurlow Terrace, that one-block road from Western Avenue near the downtown SUNY Campus to just before Washington Park. I’ve SEEN that big old house, but I didn’t know it was a hotel.

As stated in the bulletin, Arias in the Afternoon’s “event champion ” was the honorable Patricia Fahy. Pat Fahy is my assemblyperson for the 109th district in the New York State Legislature. She’s currently running for the New York State Senate in my district. She has been a champion for the Interpretive Center.

The event ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I arrived after church, around 12:30, so I missed Pat Fahy’s opening remarks and the first round of singing by Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, though I did listen to him later. There was also a pianist, Paul Cronin, who I did hear. If you would like to support the construction of the Interpretive Center, go to the bottom of this page.

After my wife, who arrived after a church rehearsal, and I left, we went to the Upper Madison Street Fair, one block from our house featuring music, food, and more. I even got a massage.

At both events, I saw several people I knew, some for the first time in a while. The day gave me that good Albany feel.

Sunday Stealing: The Pen Company

The Good Book

Here’s the new Sunday Stealing, The Pen Company. But before I get to that, a couple of Independence Day announcements in Albany, NY.

First, the July 4 oration will take place at the Stephen and Harriet Myers residence, 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany, NY, sponsored by the Underground Railroad Education Center (UREC). Music by Magpie, who will be joined by Kim Harris.

Second, Sheila E. will be performing at 8 pm at the Empire State Plaza. One of her singers cannot make it, so subbing will be Rebecca Jade, who is my niece. Rebecca was backing Sheila when my wife, daughter, and I saw them at the New York State Fair in Syracuse back in September 2019.

Onto the show

1. If your house was on fire, which three items would you save?

A metal box in my office that has my birth certificate, my father’s death certificate plus other important documents. A box of photos. My laptop.

2. What is the strangest or most awkward date you’ve ever been on?

Oddly, it wasn’t my date. My ex-girlfriend was going to the Washington (NY) County Fair with her new boyfriend c 1996/97. She invited a friend of ours and me to attend as well, because we were all “mature” people. It was…weird. Interestingly, they broke up, I got back together with my gf, and we’ve been married 24 years.

3. What are your biggest fears?

The loss of freedom and justice in the United States, based on the actions of several governors and state legislatures, the rhetoric of several candidates for the 2024 Presidency, and recent Supreme Court decisions.

4. How do you spend your time when you are procrastinating?

Usually playing double deck pinochle or backgammon on my phone.

5. What has been your most memorable birthday so far, and why?

Probably my 50th because I had a big party at my church. I made a mixed CD that I gave out.

6. What is your favorite snack?

Fig Newtons with milk.

7. What was your first pet?

Peter the cat. He was very smart. When he wanted to come in, he’d jump onto a piece of furniture and rattle the door knob.

I am where I am

8. What’s your favorite city in your country?

It might be Albany, NY because that’s where I decided to live. My favorite place to visit might be Galveston, TX; I’d go out to he pier at 5 a.m., watching the tide from the Gulf of Mexico come in.

9. Do you have a garden?

We have a garden. But I have little or nothing to do with it.

10. What is your favorite thing about your home town?

My hometown was Binghamton, NY. It was small enough – and my school was tiny enough – that I can to this day name most of the kids in my 9th grade class. And I’m still friends with three of them. Oh, and went to kindergarten with them too.

11. What was the last book you read?

A Century of Pop Music bt Joel Whitburn.

12. What is the best book you have ever read?

Quite possibly, The Good Book: Discovering the Bible’s Place in Our Lives by Peter J. Gomes. Here’s a reader recommendation from Thrift Books:

“Gomes takes the Bible off its pedestal and presents it to us as a tool for Christian living. This book is a must read for any Christian struggling to read and understand the Bible in modern terms. He explores many of the controversial topics of the Bible, including race, homosexuality, women’s roles, anti-Semitism, wealth, and more. [This is definitely true.]

“He challenges the reader to accept the Bible as an interpretation of fantastic religious events with historical and sociological significance. He teaches the reader to deal with contradictions within the Bible, even within individual books of the Bible… This book challenged my beliefs in positive ways and taught me to never ‘idolize’ the Bible again.”

Roger that

13. Who is your favorite author?

It might be Roger Ebert, whose movie essays I enjoyed greatly. His autobio, Life Itself, is the book I would liked to have written, if I had the skills.

14. Is there a food that you hate?

Olives. Black olives, green olives.

15. Do you get along with your neighbors?

The neighbor to one side, Al, is great. Now, the property on the other side is owned by an absentee landlord, so the quality of the tenants has varied. I’ve written about not great ones here and elsewhere, and the best ones here. But by far, the WORST thing that happened from that house was created by the landlord himself. What a schmuck.

I wrote about terrible neighbors across the street, but thankfully, they’re gone.

16. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

Nope. And I was never seriously interested in doing so.