Museum Open May-October, Sundays 12 to 4 or by appointment

Black Antislavery Activists

May 2025

20th Annual Sojourner Truth Memorial Celebration followed by Reception at DRC

By |2025-05-22T22:23:25-04:00May 22nd, 2025|

May 25

@ 2:00 pm

–

5:00 pm

The 20th annual Sojourner Truth Memorial Celebration in Florence, MA is on Sunday, May 25 at 2pm. Six exceptional graduating high school seniors from Hampden and Hampshire public schools will be honored with the prestigious Sojourner Truth Social Justice Awards at this event, which will also feature music, keynote speakers, and special guest remarks by Barbara Allen, a sixth-generation descendant of Sojourner Truth. The event is free and open to the public, and more information about the Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee, the scholarships they bestow, and the event can be found here: https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/.

The event will be immediately followed by a reception for all at the David Ruggles Center at 225 Nonotuck St.

 

Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee

Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue

121 Pine Street


Florence,

Massachusetts

01062

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January 2025

MLK Day: Museum Open in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By |2025-01-12T00:03:13-05:00January 9th, 2025|

January 20 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the museum at the David Ruggles Center will be open Monday, January 20, 12-4 PM. Visitors can learn about Black Americans, many formerly enslaved, who lived in Florence and Northampton in the 1840s and 1850s and fought against the institution of slavery and racial injustice. This history highlights not only antislavery icons like Sojourner Truth and David Ruggles, but also the lives of ordinary local heroes like Basil Dorsey and Stephen Rush who had escaped enslavement and continued the quest for equality in Florence. Through these stories, visitors can learn about and reflect upon the Underground Railroad, Frederick Douglass, as well as Florence’s 1840s abolitionist utopian community, William Lloyd Garrison, and the 19th century quest to end slavery and racial injustice in the USA, a century before the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement emerged. Docents will be on hand. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome!

Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue

121 Pine Street
Florence, Massachusetts 01062
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June 2024

Juneteenth Open House 12-4 PM

By |2024-06-03T13:23:58-04:00June 3rd, 2024|

June 19, 2024 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

In honor of the Juneteenth holiday, the David Ruggles Center will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, June 19 from 12-4. Come learn the stories of the Black men and women in 1840s and 1850s Florence who fought to end slavery and racism including: David Ruggles, a fierce fighter for racial justice and an architect of what came to be known as the Underground Railroad, helping over 500 people escape enslavement including Frederick Douglass, and who lived the final years of his short but heroic life in Florence ; Sojourner Truth who during her 14 years in Florence launched her career as an iconic lecturer on antislavery, women’s rights, and after emancipation, the rights of the freed people; Stephen Rush, one of the several self-emancipated formerly enslaved who sought freedom and respite at the utopian community of abolitionists, the Northampton Association; and Basil Dorsey, who also escaped enslavement and ultimately settled and stayed in Florence with his family. For more information, please contact info@davidrugglescenter.org.

Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue

121 Pine Street
Florence, Massachusetts 01062
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June 2023

Juneteenth Program:  “David Ruggles, Organizer: Meeting of the 1844 “Colored Citizens of Northampton,” & the 1850 Meeting to resist the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850,” by Steve Strimer. Followed by a Walking Tour.

By |2023-06-12T10:29:33-04:00June 10th, 2023|

June 19, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

In honor of Juneteenth, the DRC is proud to present a new slideshow developed and presented by Steve Strimer: “David Ruggles, Organizer: Meeting of the 1844 “Colored Citizens of Northampton,” & the 1850 Meeting to resist the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.” The presentation will be held at the Ruggles Center and will be followed by a Walking Tour of sites and houses related to Black anti-slavery activists and fugitives from slavery documented in the slideshow. The indoor program is limited to 30 attendees. Masks optional. For more information, please email info@davidrugglescenter.org.

Details

Date:
June 19, 2023
Time:
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Event Tags:
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Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue

121 Pine Street
Florence, Massachusetts 01062
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Comments Off on Juneteenth Program:  “David Ruggles, Organizer: Meeting of the 1844 “Colored Citizens of Northampton,” & the 1850 Meeting to resist the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850,” by Steve Strimer. Followed by a Walking Tour.
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