Post Date: 03/09/2018 3:30 PM

Mayor Purzycki will issue a Proclamation honoring Tubman at the Wilmington Friends Meeting House

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Parks and Recreation Director Kevin F. Kelley, Sr. invite citizens to commemorate the life of American abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman, as the City joins a number of community partners in celebrating National Harriet Tubman Day on Saturday, March 10. A day-long series of events, beginning with a Proclamation issued by the Mayor at 10 a.m., will mark the 105th anniversary of Tubman’s death.

“Harriet Tubman, it goes without saying, was a truly remarkable individual whose heroic courage and sacrifice in the service of her fellow human beings stands out as an example of the best of humanity more than a century later,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Given her ties to the Wilmington area, and to our own anti-slavery crusader, Thomas Garrett, it is only right that we pause this day to honor her legacy.”

The City’s partners in this celebration include the Delaware Historical Society, the Riverfront Development Corporation, Delaware Humanities, the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation, and M & T Bank.

The schedule of the day’s events is as follows:

Wilmington Friends Meeting House (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.) - FREE

Mayor Purzycki will issue a Proclamation honoring Tubman, followed by a lecture by Harriet Tubman educator, Patricia Lewis, and a children’s activity. Sponsored by Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation and M&T Bank.

Tubman-Garrett Park on the Riverfront (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) – FREE

Local artist and community advocate Eunice Lafate will conduct a Folk Art & Freedom Workshop, sponsored by the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation and Delaware Humanities. (In case of inclement weather, this event will move to the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, located at 200 South Madison Street.)

Delaware History Museum (1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.) – FREE

The Underground Railroad in Delaware. A City Council resolution will be read by Council member Yolanda McCoy. Then participants will be able to walk in the footsteps of freedom seekers and discover the brave women and men – both enslaved and free – who made this region one of the most sought after routes to freedom in the years before the Civil War. The Museum will be open to the public between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Baby Grand (3 p.m. – 5 p.m.) - $15 per person, $10 for students; groups of 10 or more, $10 each.

Women of Consequence. The University of Delaware and the Delaware Historical Society present an evening of poetry, music, drama, and dance to share the stories of Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, Frances Harper and others, and to promote discussion about freedom of expression and leadership for all women.For tickets, please visit: https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/215-women-of-consequence

A free shuttle will leave from the Colonial Parking lot at 6th & Shipley Streets beginning at 9:45 a.m. For additional information about the shuttle service, contact Ashley Cloud of the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation at 302-388-7176.

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov



Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov