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Black History Month Events at The Henry Ford
This Dearborn spot celebrates with special programs and performances in February 2012 that will educate and entertain southeast Michigan families
"That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place!"
Those are some of the words spoken by abolitionist and activist Sojourner Truth in 1851 at an Ohio Women's Rights Convention, highlighting the difference between the treatment of white and black women. During the first weekend of the Celebrate Black History events at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, families will get the chance to see a reenactment of this historical speech during Ain't I a Woman: Meet Sojourner Truth.
Honoring civil rights leaders and African American trailblazers, the museum hosts a series of musical, historical and interactive performances on Feb. 1-5, 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26 of 2012.
Last June, the Emancipation Proclamation was exhibited at the Henry Ford museum for two days. This year, as part of the museum's Black History Month event series, the museum is showing United in Freedom, a documentary that highlights the historical document's visit and impact on the community. This documentary precedes the 30-minute interactive musical performance, Minds on Freedom, which tells the stories of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer and Gloria Rackley. The interactive performance runs three times per day, Wednesdays-Fridays. Additional performances take place on Feb. 18 and 19.
There also will be special featured events on each weekend to highlight a different era in black history.
On Feb. 4 and 5, the museum highlights Pre-Emancipation with musical performances by The North Star Gospel Chorale, in addition to Ain't I a Woman: Meet Sojourner Truth.
The weekend of Feb. 11-12 is all about Northern Migration and includes music by the Rev. Robert Jones and a performance of Elijah: The Real McCoy.
And the Hamilton Family, Detroit-area performers, entertain families during the final weekend – Feb. 25-26 – which celebrates Contemporary Times.
The event is free with museum admission, which is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (ages 62-plus), $12.50 for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids ages 4 and under.
See the Metro Parent listing for more on the 2012 Celebrate Black History events at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
