Celebrate Black History Month in Tarrytown

February is Black History Month. Established nationally in 1976 as a time to recognize the achievements and contributions African Americans have made to US history and society, we invite you to explore on a local level this month in Tarrytown.

Learn about Local Black History from the Historical Society

The Historical Society has posted a series of essays by longtime Tarrytown resident Roger Glass, whose essays on his family members and ancestors touch on many aspects of Black History in Tarrytown including World War I, the suffrage movement, politics and charitable works. From the Historical Society website:

"Roger S. Glass is the great grandson of the late Clarence Jackson and the late Addie Jackson, both longtime Tarrytown residents; the grandson of the late Virginia Jackson Nelson and the late Henry Nelson, both lifelong Tarrytown residents; and the son of Alba Nelson Glass, who was born and raised in Tarrytown. Roger was born in Tarrytown in 1952 and currently resides in Washington, DC. You can visit his family history blog at www.roger-glass.com."

Learn About Black History Through One of the Local African American Congregations

The Fos­ter Memo­r­ial African Methodist Epis­co­pal Zion Church

The Foster AME Zion Church is the old­est black church in Westch­ester County, and a former stop on the Underground Railroad, listed by the National Park Service as one of eleven sites in New York on their Underground Railroad travel itinerary.

Founded by Amanda and Henry Fos­ter, con­gre­gants first met in a room above their Tar­ry­town con­fec­tionery un­til the church’s brick build­ing on nearby Wildey Street opened in 1865. Es­caped slaves at­tempt­ing to reach Canada or de­cid­ing to set­tle lo­cally were pro­vided with food, shel­ter and sup­port by mem­bers of the con­gre­ga­tion.

In 1982, the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was recognized as a Westchester County Tricentennial Historic Site in 1983, and is on the County's Guide to African American History and Heritage.

Reverend Andre B. Upson

90 Wildey Street, Tarrytown

Open to the public.

Call (914) 909-4618 for additional information.

Shiloh Baptist Church

Shiloh Baptist Church has been housed in the same building since it was organized in 1885, and they are currently applying for historic preservation status.

Reverend Judith Williams invites Tarrytown residents to worship with the congregation in honor of Black History Month.

She writes:"Every Sunday during the month of February, a different member members of the congregation will participate in a brief presentation called, "Who Am I?" Each presenter will dress up and or provide information about a character in African American History and the congregation has to guess who they are. Please feel free to join us."

90 N. Washington Street

Tarrytown, NY 10591

(914) 631-4197

info@shilohbctarrytown.org

Dine Out in Celebration of Black History Month

Check out one of Tarrytown's Black-owned restaurants such as Pik Nik Barbecue and Mint Premium Foods on Main Street.

Or sign up for the first Sunday Supper of 2023 at Maker's Central:

Makers Central is celebrating Black History Month with the year's first Sunday Supper featuring Guest Chef Damon Daye - February 26, 2023 @ 5pm. 



Every so often, Makers Central is transformed to welcome guests into a one-of-a-kind dining experience, inviting local chefs to explore their culinary creativity. Craft cocktails, passed appetizers, followed by a 4 course meal with wine pairings included - $195 per person.

Tickets go on sale February 11th at noon. First come first serve! www.MakersCentralNY.com

Check out Curated Collections for Black History Month at Local Stores

From Transom Books:

We celebrate diversity in our stacks year-round, but Black History Month is a great opportunity to bring the amazing work of Black authors to the forefront of the shop. Stop by this February to browse our display of classic, bestselling, and up-and-coming Black writers of fiction, sci-fi, history, romance, poetry, and more.

Shop owner Chris Steib also put together a page of recommendations for Black History Month:

transombookshop.com/black-history-month

From All Together Now

We will feature a selection of children's books highlighting Black authors and historical figures.

Check Out Books and Events at the Warner Library

Virtual Tour of The African Burial Ground National Monument, 2/15 @ 6 PM

In celebration of Black History Month, we will be hosting a virtual tour of the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The African Burial Ground National Monument is a monument at Duane Street and African Burial Ground Way in the Civic Center section of Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It protects the historic role slavery played in building New York and its main building is the Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway.



Hosted on Zoom. Free and open to all. Register here: https://bit.ly/3jaBPS5.

Celebrate Peace, Love and Black History with Peace / Paz by Baptiste Paul & Miranda Paul. February 15 / 15 de febrero @ 2 pm

Celebrate Peace, Love and Black History with Peace / Paz by Baptiste Paul & Miranda Paul. Catch the live read aloud on our YouTube channel. Pick up a peace activity packet in the Children’s Room to do @ home while supplies last.

Build Your Own History Sticker Book!

Wednesday, February, 22 @ 2pm for kids in grades 3 and up.

Learn about important African American figures in history! Registration required. Email: juvprograms@gmail.com to signup.

Showcase of Films from Kanopy for Library patrons

For Black History Month, Kanopy has curated a collection of films that highlights the history and heritage of the Black community. Comprised of current and classic titles, these films delve deep into the discussions around race and representation. Visit kanopy.com/category/40898.

Kanopy is available to all patrons of the Westchester Library System.

Westchester Events: