Rediscovering the Forgotten History of Blacks in Schoharie County: An Educational Series and Book Club Discussion
The Schoharie County Historical Society will be hosting an educational series and book club discussion on the book “Discovering the Forgotten History of African Americans in Schoharie County” starting on Thursday, October 21 at 7 p.m. at the Schoharie Presbyterian Church. The series will continue monthly through April 2022.
When local author, historian, and community activist John “Jack” Daniels first published his book “Discovering the Forgotten History of African Americans in Schoharie County” in 1999 he sought to dig into what he believed to be a rich history of Blacks in Schoharie County. A history, he stated, that had hardly been touched in previous interpretations of Schoharie County’s past.
Spanning more than two centuries, the book begins its exploration into the history of Blacks in Schoharie County in the early 1700s and continues with a timeline encompassing wars, local agriculture, schools, churches, abolition, businesses, genealogy, and more.
While Jack believed he had unearthed what he equated to “historical gold” in his research and ultimate publication of the book, he also understood there was much which remained to be done.
“I am sure there is more historical gold about African-Americans in the county to be mined, but I have completed my share of the digging and writing,” stated Jack in the book’s introduction. “I hope there will be others who wish to add to or amend the historical record.”
Despite his call to action, much of that continued research had remained undone upon Jack’s death at the age of 96 in 2012.
The educational series and book club discussion presented by the Schoharie County Historical Society is seeking to take up the mantle set down by Jack and take a deeper dive into the subjects, stories, themes, and questions raised in his writing.
With the help of Schoharie County historians, genealogists, and community leaders, the Schoharie County Historical Society will host a series of programs featuring new and continued research into the themes unearthed in the book and inviting participants to take part in an open and respectful discussion on what they have heard and read.
The series will kick off on Thursday, October 21 with a welcome and introduction by Katherine Hawkins, a close friend of Jack’s and active member of Peacemakers of Schoharie County, who made possible the fourth reprint of Jack’s book.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase before and after the program.
On Thursday, November 18, Schoharie County Historical Society Genealogist Catherine Adams will lead a discussion on chapters one and two of the book, taking a closer look at the origins of Blacks in the county utilizing primary sources, census records, and family groups.
Additional programs with Schoharie County Historian Ted Shuart and local historian Peter Lindemann will be held on Thursdays December 16, January 20, February 17, and March 24.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [CAGML-246991-OMLS-20].
The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.”
