The Sinclairs of Sharpsburg were an African American family whose descendants included the beloved Virginia Cook and other prominent local citizens. In this talk, I'll explore their nineteenth-century history, starting in slavery and showing how most of them became free before the Civil War. I'll tell the story of Jane Sinclair, whose photograph and belongings […]

Black Antietam book talk and signing: How did African Americans experience the Battle of Antietam? Although the battle was a turning point in black history—leading to the Emancipation Proclamation—its affect on local African Americans has rarely been studied. This talk will explore stories of black eyewitnesses, both enslaved and free, to the terrible events of […]

In conjunction with a visiting exhibition at the Museum, I'll discuss how Joseph Holston’s art reflects and exposes the history of Washington County. Sharing true stories of bondage, resistance, and journeys to freedom, we'll explore the parallels between Holston’s art and locally lived experience.

This free, family-friendly event will take place on the porch of the historic Newcomer House, on Antietam National Battlefield. I'll be talking about how African Americans, both enslaved and free, experienced the Battle of Antietam. I'll focus on people who were living at places around the battlefield that visitors can stop by today. The talk […]