Submitted by John T. Logan

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For Immediate Release

October 7, 2003

Contact: Phoebe M. Bailey

717-509.1177 X102

717-538.0427

BETHEL HARAMBEE HISTORICAL SERVICES WILL HOST THE 4TH ANNUAL Underground Railroad Conference 2003.

THEME: THE COLOR OF MONEY – FREEDOM THROUGH ECONOMICS. NOVEMBER 13, 14, 15, 2003.

The Ramada Brunswick Inn & Conference Center will be the site for the 4th Annual Underground Railroad Conference, November 13 – 15, 2003. This year’s conference will focus on the economic impact that enslaved Africans had on the development of America. The conference will highlight, African entrepreneurs during the enslavement era, as well as, people and institutions that helped fund the Underground Railroad efforts of abolitionist and freedom seekers.

The keynote speaker and workshop presenter, artist John W. Jones of Columbia, S.C., Exhibit Confederate Currency: The Color of Money – Images of Slavery in Confederate and Southern States Currency. Made the discovery in 1996, while working in a print shop and a customer asked for an enlargement of a Confederate bill. After making the enlargement, a shocked Jones found himself looking at a picture of enslaved Africans picking cotton. The artist has rendered the monochrome vignettes of the 1850’s as large, colorful acrylic canvases, a selection of which will be on exhibit during the Conference on November 13-15, 2003. Mr. Jones’ artistic investigation of a time when slavery and currency were one makes a powerful statement about the contribution of enslaved Africans to the American economy. In bringing these images to the foreground, he reveals a story few history books tell. Yet, these bold acrylics do more than translate the engravings of slave labor enshrined in our monetary system by banks of the South. Hanging in juxtaposition, painting and currencies create an intriguing and compelling experience of discovery. Mr. Jones has been featured in The New York Times, Time, Newsday, and The Boston Globe, Associated Press, CNN News and others.

Confederate currency: The Color of Money tells a story which, though set in 19th Century America, speaks profoundly to the national dialogue today. The exhibition creates a poignant, provocative and illuminating focal point for engaging such issues as slavery, reparations, racial profiling, racial healing, institutional racism and discrimination. Jones’ enslaved Africans are bright –eyed and vigorous even in old age. They wear unfaded purples, yellows and reds as they pick billowing baskets of snow – white cotton under pink and lavender skies – embellished details but true to the romantic character of the originals, said Jones, who has researched and documented more than 126 such images.

Lancaster County Commissioner Ron Ford and Mrs. Helen Murray, both will be honored at the Underground Railroad Conference opening reception on November 13, 2003. Commissioner Ford is being honored for his work as a County Commissioner, and the support that he and the office of County Commissioners have given to Bethel Harambee Historical Services and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Murray is the oldest African American farmer in Lancaster, who still resides on her family’s original farmland that has been owned by her family since the enslavement era.

Also featured at this year’s conference is: Sankofa Exhibit Consultants, a division of P.R.I.S.M! Educational Resource Company, which was founded in 1996 by Gene Alexander Peters. As a researcher, collector and consultant, Mr. Peters specializes in documenting the African – American Slavery Experience Through the showcasing of his private collection of rare, Slavery – related artifacts. He has traveled throughout the United States acquiring items of historic significance and has made several research visits to Africa, England, and to the Caribbean in order to personally examine the “Triangular Slave Trade” and its enduring legacy. Mr. Alexander’s extensive collection has been on exhibit at the The Shomburg Center for Research, NYC, National Geographic Society, Washington D.C., The Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA, and others.

Viola H. Sanders -Vii’s African American Services, Educational and Cultural Mobile Exhibits and Presentations will be an added feature to this year’s conference. Her exhibit, African American Inventors & Inventions, consist of figurines, artifacts, and replicas of the inventors and the inventions. Mrs. Sanders, will conduct workshops/presentations on the Africans who contributed a wide variety of inventions that helped propel America into the 21st century.

There will be a special showing of ‘Living The Experiences”- Christmas in the 1800’s for all conference attendees. This special show will further explain a part of the plight of Africans during the Christmas season. The audience will learn about the Africans that were sold, given as gifts, and those who used Christmas day to run for their freedom, and other important facts.

Some of the Workshop topics include: The African and His Church (the role of itinerant ministers on the African Methodist Episcopal Church circuit), Researching historical sites, African Entrepreneurs and many more.

The conference will feature a variety of entertainment from local and regional residents. The conference fee covers all Workshops/presentations/exhibits/meals/ and performances. Register early and receive the discounted cost of $105.00. Regular cost after October 31, 2003, is $115.00. Act 48 credits are available for the Lancaster SD.

Group Rates Available for 3 or more persons.

Please join Bethel Harambee Historical Services, at this year’s Underground Railroad Conference 2003 on November 13, 14, & 15, 2003 at the Ramada Brunswick Inn, Lancaster PA. For hotel reservations call: 1.800.821.9258 room rate: $69.00. Registration forms can be requested through these methods:

Email: liveitbethel@aol.com,
Mail: 512 E. Strawberry Street ChurchTowne of Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717.509.1177 x102 or 1.800.510.5899 x113, or
Visit us on our website: www.livingtheundergroundrailroad.com and click on the UGRR Conference banner.

Contact:

Phoebe M. Bailey
Bethel Harambee Historical Services
Executive Director
512 E. Strawberry Street
ChurchTowne of Lancaster, PA 17602

Liveitbethel@aol.com

717.509.1177 x102

For Release: October 7, 2003

4th Annual Underground Railroad Conference 2003 – Lancaster, PA

Contact: 717.509.1177 X102 - 717.538.0427