Events and Programs
Inaugural Event for Concord250
Thank you for joining us all for this momentous event.
Photos are here for you to see
A Celebration Honoring The 200th Anniversary of The Birth Concord’s Native Daughter Ellen Garrison,
For the first time in 200 years, on April 14, 2023 Concord will publicly honor and celebrate the birth of one of its most inspirational daughters, Ellen Garrison
Why It Matters
Ellen was born in Concord daughter of a self-emancipated man Jack Garrison and granddaughter of the formerly enslaved man and revolutionary soldier Caesar Robbins. Ellen’s mother Susan was a founding member of the Concord Female Antislavery Society and actively involved in the struggle for securing rights for all people. Ellen continued her mother’s legacy of antislavery activism. She worked as a teacher in the Freedman’s Schools and served as a powerful activist around local and national questions demanding civil rights for all people. Her work on the long struggle took her from Concord to Boston, Rhode Island, Maryland, Kansas and finally Pasadena, California where she rests.
Concord has a unique opportunity to bring this celebration to the very center of the town in a unique way on Friday evening April 14, 2023 the 200th anniversary of Ellen’s birth by holding the event in the following locations:
Holy Family Parish/First Universalist Church
Little known to Concord residents but on October 12, 1841 the young Frederick Douglass spoke at the Universalist meeting house here in town. Although her mother Susan had died earlier that summer we can imagine that Ellen and any other black Concordians would have attended this lecture. Town House Ellen’s brother John Garrison worked at the Town House for fourteen years, several years as Superintendent of the Town House. He owned the small cottage he built at 78 Monument St and Ellen would come back to visit and stay in John’s home. Ellen and the Garrison family are a fundamental part of town history that we are fortunate to be able to honor.
Program of Events
April 14, 2023 6- 7pm
Holy Family Parish/First Universalist Church
A program of music and celebration that honors and teaches about the events that took place in this space in support of the work for the long struggle for Civil Rights that was so much a part of Ellen’s and her family ‘s life.
7pm -8pm
Town House
A group procession from the steps Holy Family Parish/First Universalist Church to the grand public meeting space on the 2nd floor of the Town House . There invited guests will make brief remarks/announcements about ways the community is honoring Ellen and the Garrison family in celebration of this important anniversary. Music, poetry will be a part of this. Finally a time to visit and socialize with cake and refreshments for all those in attendance. The Bottom Line Thanks to the kind offers of collaboration and support this event will create an opportunity for a celebration of the legacy and importance of the African American story as central the story of the town. This event allows for public visibility and exposure to help more members of the community learn about and honor a history that may be new to them, but is essential for them and their understanding of Concord’s role in securing freedom for all people.
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