47° and Clear
Image
Credit: Shutterstock
HAVRE DE GRACE - Black History Month kicked off on Thursday with the opening of A new exhibit, “Integration Now: The Harford County Civil Rights Project,” at the Hays-Heighe House in Bel Air.
Harford County has a slate of events ready to celebrate black history and educate residents about the county’s history of civil rights and battles for equality.
Here are some of the Black History Month events and programs scheduled in Havre de Grace and the surrounding area:
Harford County Public Library Book Displays
All month
All branches of the Harford County Public Library system
Through February, Harford County Public Libraries will feature Black History Month book displays, Take & Make kits, and activities such as scavenger hunts.
Integration Now: The Harford County Civil Rights Project
Opens February 2, 2023.
This new exhibit at the Hays-Heighe House on the Harford Community College campus in Bel Air explores civil rights and racial issues from three angles: housing, education, and public accommodations.
For tour hours and registration info, see here.
Langston Hughes Youth Oratorical Contest
Saturday, February 4, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Cultural Center at the Opera House
2023 marks the sixth year of the Langston Hughes Youth Oratorical Contest. This event celebrates the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and honors the legacy of those who fought for equal access to education in Harford County.
This year’s theme for the competition is: “Let life be like music.” Cash scholarships will be awarded to the first, second, and third-place winners in the middle school and high school categories, and additional prizes will be awarded to the runners-up.
After the event, there will be a reception at the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, 555 Alliance Street.
Admission is free, but reserved seating is required.
Indoor StoryWalk at Aberdeen Library
February 6, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Aberdeen Friends of Harford County Public Library is hosting a family-friendly indoor story walk featuring the book “Trombone Shorty,” an autobiography telling the story of Grammy-nominated musician Troy Andrews.
This event is free and available through February 17.
Harford County Civil Rights Leadership Awards
February 9, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m
Chesapeake Dining Room at Harford Community College.
The Harford Civil Rights Project will give its first Civil Rights Leadership Awards at Harford Community College!
Admission is free and includes a reception. Reservations must be submitted by Friday.
Havre de Grace Arts Collective presentation: the Harford Civil Rights Project
Feb. 10, 7:00 p.m.
The Cultural Center at the Opera House
Prof. James Karmel of Harford Community College will present a slideshow on the Harford Civil Rights Project at the HDG Arts Collective. Karmel will share stories and images about the key people, events, and places that shaped Harford County’s civil rights history.
Admission is $10. Tickets.
February 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Iota Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is hosting its annual book dedication. Dante R. Brizill, author of “Red Ball Express: Greatness Under Fire,” will be speaking at the event.
Copies of “Red Ball Express: Greatness Under Fire” and “They Call Me Big House” by author Clarence E. Gaines will be dedicated to Harford County Public Library in honor of Black History Month.
The event is free.
Historical Society virtual program on the history of the Havre de Grace Colored School
February 14, 12:30 p.m.
Virtual
The Historical Society of Harford County will share the history of the Havre de Grace Colored School, Harford County’s first public high school for African American students.
Patricia Cole, president of the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, will be the speaker.
The program is free, but registration is required.
The Trifecta: Tips for Researching the Formerly Enslaved
February 21, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Virtual
This event will help you learn how Civil War records, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and Probates/Successions come together to reveal the history of the formerly enslaved and their families.
The session will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Registration is required.
