African-American History Festival

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Robert Abbott memorial Fort Frederica

Join park staff, local historians and clubs in commemorating the life and contributions of Robert S. Abbott on the 60th anniversary of his death. Also celebrate the culture and heritage of the Gullah Geechee people with a performance by ring shouters and cultural activities for all ages. The event will culminate in the dedication of a recently discovered African-American grave site around the Abbott memorial.

Schedule

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Kevin Pullen, Artist-in-Residence at the College of Coastal Georgia, presents his lecture entitled "Robert Abbott"

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Trolley runs to Harrington School every 20-25 minutes

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Exhibitor Booths & Crafts

11:00 AM - Margarie Washington tells traditional Gullah Geechee tales

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Sarah Ross, Executive Director - UGA Center for Education and Research at Wormsloe, presents her lecture, "Foodways"

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Shelley Albee, Park Guide at Kingsley Plantation, presents her lecture entitled "Sites of Remembrance"

12:00 PM - Margarie Washington tells traditional Gullah Geechee tales

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM - Martha Keber, Professor of History, presents her lecture entitled "Flora Butler Abbott Sengstacke"

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Performance by the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters

2:15 PM - Dedication Ceremony, with opening remarks by LaTanya Abbott-Austin

Exhibitors: 

National Park Service, Kingsley Plantation

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

Gregory Grant, Sweetgrass Basket Maker

Army Corps of Engineers

Georgia Department of Transportation

The Robert S. Abbott Race Unity Institute

Pin Point Heritage Museum/Old Fort Jackson

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation

Cassina Garden Club

Crafts:

Children will have the opportunity to plant their own indigo, make African-American heritage bracelets and use indigo to dye bandannas. Limited number of bandannas, so you may want to bring your own white cloth to dye (a t-shirt or even socks would work very well).