Dramatic Readings from "Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave"

Date: Saturday, May 3

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Location: The Old Firehouse (40 West Street)

Cost: Free for All

Registration Requested - Space is Limited

The Litchfield Historical Society is proud to present a weekend of public programs to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave.

Join us on Saturday, May 3 at 3:00pm at the old Litchfield Firehouse (40 West Street), for a dramatic reading of excerpts from Grimes’s narrative with a panel discussion to contextualize his words and experiences. Connecticut Storyteller, Andre Keitt will perform passages from Grimes’s narrative. The expert panel will feature Grimes descendent and leading authority, Regina Mason; prominent scholar of the African American slave narrative and Professor Emeritus at UNC, William Leake Andrews; and Professor of American Studies at the University of Buffalo, Kari Winter. Michael Morand Director of Community Engagement for Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library will moderate.  

These events are generously presented through a combination of grants, sponsorship, and in-kind donations. The Litchfield Historical Society would like to give a special thanks to Connecticut Humanities Council, Teno A. West of West Group Law PLLC, Belden House, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, and Bantam Cinema & Arts Center.