For a few weeks in August of 1843, Buffalo became the center of the national abolitionist movement. Frederick Douglass and his Garrisonian ideals arrived in Buffalo early in the month for a week long convention. Mid-month found the National Convention for Colored Citizens meeting in the city. And, finally, in late August, The Liberty Party, the first political party to fight for the abolition of slavery, had their national convention at Courthouse Park – now Lafayette Square.

This talk will give a broad background of the abolitionist movement through 1843, followed by the details about these three national conventions.

Presenter: John Fagant

WOMEN IN BUFFALO:

The contributions of women are often neglected in historical research. In this lecture, a few of the many women who shaped the history of Buffalo will be presented, including women like Margaret St. John, who convinced the British to spare her home during the burning of Buffalo. Also featured will be women whose contributions affected not just Buffalo, but the entire future of the country, such as Maria Love, who founded the first daycare center in the U.S. The work of Charlotte Mulligan, Marian de Forest, Louise Bethune, Cornelia Sage Bentley and two of our country’s first ladies will also be included in this celebration of the women of Buffalo. 

Presenter: Lisa Testa