Words of Thunder
 
 
 
 

Exhibits & Events

A 2005 edition of The Liberator newspaper, created by a member of the Garrison family
Download the file (pdf: 716k)

Words of Thunder is a constellation of learning opportunities featuring the Abolitionist Trail, exhibits, lectures, and an educational resource component that includes a teacher's guide, digitized resources from the Museum's and Library's collections, and links to related Web sites.

In 2005, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Boston's leading abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, the Museum and Library have mounted two simultaneous exhibits exploring Garrison's career and the larger history of the Boston newspaper he edited, The Liberator. Together, these exhibits also draw new attention to the crucial and active role played by members of Boston's African-American community, as well as by white abolitionists, in permanently dismantling the institution of slavery in the United States.

In 2006, another exhibit — A Gathering Place for Freedom — will focus on the African Meeting House in Boston (1806) in its 200th anniversary year. The era's most significant anti-slavery events were staged in this historic building, a National Historic Landmark, and the crown jewel of the Museum's collection of historic sites.


Words of Thunder Celebration

Beverly Morgan-Welch


 

On August 6, 2005 The Museum of Afro-American History and The Boston Public Library held a family reunion with the descendants of William Lloyd Garrison. Guest Speakers included Deval Patrick, former Assistant US Attorney General for Civil Rights, and Christopher Lydon of "Open Source" Radio. Music was provided by Vivien Cooley-Collier and the Youth Choir of the Eliot Congregational Church of Roxbury. Special guests were The Massachusetts 54th Regiment, Garrison descendents Lloyd and David Garrison, Rev. Jeffrey Brown, Union Baptist Church and Andrea Cabral, Sheriff of Suffolk County.
The event audio and video is available on WGBH Forum Network


Words of Thunder: William Lloyd Garrison and the Ambassadors of Abolition
At the Museum of Afro-American History, 46 Joy Street, Boston
August 8 - April 1, 2006
Monday - Saturday, 10:00 - 4:00 PM

Words of Thunder: The Life and Times of William Lloyd Garrison
At the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston
August 8 - October 27, 2005

A Walk on the Abolitionist Trail
The Abolitionist Trail Map

Lowell Lecture Series
The Boston Public Library and the Museum of Afro-American History cordially invite you to attend the WORDS OF THUNDER Lowell Lecture Series to honor the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879), Boston Abolitionist and the Editor of The Liberator.

The lecture series is designed to expand the public's knowledge of Garrison's lifetime commitment to end slavery and to the collaborative efforts between abolitionists — black and white, women and men — who working together did, in Garrison's words, not only "shake a nation" but change the nation and the world.

The monthly lecture series runs from January through June 2006. All lectures are held at the Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston. FREE ADMISSION.



Past Events

Boston United March
September 10, 2005
Download the Boston United March Flyer (word: 108k)

Who is William Lloyd Garrison?: A Brown Bag Talk
Gallery Talk and Tour with Dr. Marion Kilson.
Dr. Marion Kilson, co-curator of the museum's newest exhibit on William Lloyd Garrison talks about the life of this famous abolitionist, his early years and his own personal transformation toward the cause that would change his life. She will discuss how the 19th Century black community contributed to his thinking about abolition, colonization and women's rights. Then Dr. Kilson will lead a tour of the exhibit. Bring your lunch and a friend!
Friday, Oct. 14, 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 PM 46 Joy Street, Boston
FREE

Discussion: Garrison and the Aboliltionist Movement
Marion Kilson and Beverly Morgan-Welch discuss the William Lloyd Garrison exhibit and his impact on the Abolitionist Movement at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8:00 PM
42 Brattle Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Call 617-547-6789 for reservations.