"Gradual Abolition to Freedom: New Research on John Hasbrouck and His Family," a virtual presentation and conversation by Josephine Bloodgood & Kate Hymes

Join us for a virtual presentation and conversation about John Hasbrouck, a man born to enslaved parents in New Paltz who became one of the town’s earliest Black landowners and Black voters. New details about John’s family, his childhood growing up under gradual abolition, and his adulthood as a free man will be revealed. These discoveries, as well as previously unexplored connections to both the Black and White communities of New Paltz, will be presented and discussed by Josephine Bloodgood and Kate Hymes. This virtual talk will be presented entirely online via a link provided after registration. Kate Hymes is the former Poet Laureate of Ulster County and served as a founding trustee of the Margaret Wade-Lewis Black History Cultural Center, for which she headed the Building and History Committees for three years. She writes and presents poems reflecting on the experiences of enslaved and free Black individuals and families in New Paltz and Ulster County. Josephine Bloodgood is the HHS Director of Curatorial & Preservation Affairs and is active with the Margaret Wade-Lewis Black History Cultural Center’s Building and History Committees. Josephine is the author of the online exhibit “Never was a slave,” Jacob Wynkoop, Free and Black in 19th-Century New Paltz and other exhibits, talks, and a walking tour app related to Black history in the community. Contributions collected via registrations will be shared equally between the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center and Historic Huguenot Street. $8 General Access $5 Discounted Access (For seniors, students, active military personnel and their families, and veterans) Free Access for HHS members