Press Room

Descendants of Abolitionist Explore Their Family Ties
Minnesota Public Radio, August 25, 2005
Read Article

Reclaiming Garrison
The Boston Globe, August 14, 2005
Read Article

A man ahead of his time
The Boston Globe, August 8, 2005
Read Article

Relative importance, an abolitiont’s descendants celebrate his 200th birthday
The Boston Globe, August 6, 2005
Read Article

Words of Thunder

William Lloyd Garrison Bicentennial Celebration and Exhibit Opening

Boston, MA — The Museum of Afro-American History and the Boston Public Library launch a three-year collaboration, Words of Thunder, a series of exhibitions, events and educational programs centering on the Abolitionist Movement in Boston. This historic partnership is possible thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and matching funding from the Boston Public Library Foundation and the Museum. The programs and exhibits at both institutions tell the story of how black and white Bostonians gathered and worked together in the decades leading up to the abolition of slavery in America. None was more passionate than William Lloyd Garrison, abolitionist and editor of the widely circulated newspaper, The Liberator.

Garrison's place in history will come under fresh focus through two major exhibits, Words of Thunder: The Life and Times of William Lloyd Garrison at the Boston Public Library, and The Ambassadors of Abolition at the Museum of Afro-American History.
On Saturday, August 6, at 2 PM, the exhibits will open with simultaneous receptions for more than 150 Garrison descendants who are gathered in Boston for a family reunion.

At 7:30 PM on August 6, family members and the public are invited to the bicentennial celebration of William Lloyd Garrison at the historic Tremont Temple, 88 Tremont Street in downtown Boston, where many abolitionist meetings were staged. There will be a free presentation of speeches, music, and readings of Garrison's works. Deval Patrick, United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President Clinton, and Christopher Lydon, host of "Open Source" on NPR, will be the main speakers.

Press is invited. Photos are welcome.

For more information, contact:

Tracy Gibbs, Museum of Afro-American History, 617-725-0022 ext 21, tgibbs@afroammuseum.org

Or Susan Birkett, Boston Public Library, 617-859-2212, sbirkett@bpl.org

Garrison Family Exhibit Opening (press invited to attend all events)
August 6, 2005 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Descendants of the Garrison family will attend private, simultaneous viewings of the new exhibits at the Museum of Afro-American History and the Boston Public Library.

Public Event:

Words of Thunder Celebration
August 6, 2005 7:30 PM
A family reunion with the descendants of William Lloyd Garrison
Guest Speakers include Deval Patrick, former Assistant US Attorney General for Civil Rights, and Christopher Lydon of "Open Source" Radio. Music provided by Myran Parker-Brass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Choir of the Eliot Congregational Church of Roxbury. Special guests: The Massachusetts 54th Regiment; Andrea Cabral, Sheriff of Suffolk County.
Tremont Temple, 88 Tremont Street, Boston
ADMISSION: Free — open to the public

Exhibits:

Words of Thunder: William Lloyd Garrison and the Ambassadors of Abolition
August 8 - December 31, 2005
Although William Lloyd Garrison was the pioneer of radical abolition, he was aided by men and women, white and black. This exhibit illustrates how these ambassadors of abolition sparked, supported, and sustained the anti-slavery movement.
The Museum of Afro-American History, Abiel Smith Galleries
46 Joy Street at Smith Court, Beacon Hill
617-725-0022

The Life and Times of William Lloyd Garrison
August 8 - October 27, 2005
This exhibit tells the story of William Lloyd Garrison within the context of the turbulent times in which he lived and which he helped to shape.
The Boston Public Library
Dartmouth and Boylston Streets, Boston
617-536-5400