Bethany Arts Community (BAC) will host Westchester County’s Inaugural Commemoration Event “New York’s Road to Freedom” honoring Abolition Commemoration Day in New York State. This event is co-presented by BAC and The Abolition Commemoration Day Association of New York and will take place at BAC on Thursday, July 16 from 7-8:30pm. This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. Register at BAC’s website.
On July 22, 2020, the New York State Legislature passed the Abolition Commemoration Bill establishing Abolition Commemoration Day to be observed on the second Monday of July. This commemorates the Abolition Act, which passed the New York State Legislature on March 31, 1817 and abolished slavery effective July 4, 1827. “Abolition Commemoration Day not only marks the end of slavery in New York but also honors the bravery and sacrifices of abolitionists” (ASALH.org).
New York’s Road to Freedom will be an evening of remembrance, reflection, and artistic expression as we honor Abolition Commemoration Day. The event will explore local legacies of enslavement, resistance, and emancipation in Westchester County and the greater Hudson Valley through historical discussion, living history reenactments, music, and storytelling.
Throughout the evening, art will serve as a bridge between past and present, engaging with history beyond the written record. Music, performance, dance, and moments of reflection will create space to honor those whose lives and experiences have often been overlooked.
Alongside the commemoration, a small historical installation will highlight stories and provide further historical context into information shared during the event.
As we commemorate the struggle for freedom and recognize the importance of preserving local history, BAC invites the community to gather in remembrance, learning, and conversation.
The event program is co-created by BAC and Ossining’s Village Historian, Joyce Sharrock Cole, and presented in collaboration with The Abolition Commemoration Day Association of New York. Events honoring Abolition Commemoration Day will take place throughout New York State this July.
