Avon Public Library to Host National Civil Rights Exhibit

The Avon Free Public Library is proud to announce it has been selected to host the national traveling exhibit, “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963”. This prestigious exhibit will be on display at the Avon Library’s Community Room November 1, 2014 to December 16, 2014. Using walk-around panels, the exhibit illustrates these two pivotal events in American history and the decades of action, struggle and sacrifice that made them possible. The opening event will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 1:00 pm with a lecture presented by Dr. Matt Warshauer, professor of history at CCSU.

The exhibit will be accompanied by a series of lively history, sports and cultural programs to examine landmark events in American history from 1863 to 1963. In addition, a film series will highlight the roles of African Americans on the Hollywood screen. Dr. Karen Ritzenhoff, professor of communications at CCSU will present a special film discussion “Selling Race on Screen” on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 1:00 pm. A complete listing of all Changing America programs, events & films is attached; also exhibit logo and Matt Warshauer photo.

Visit the library’s gallery and experience, “The Harlem Renaissance, “A Dream Deferred.” Sights, sounds, and icons from 1920’s African American culture in New York. Bring your cell phone for a special audio tour.

“Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963” is presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and is part of NEH’s Bridging Cultures initiative, “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle,” which brings four outstanding films on the civil rights movement to communities across the United States (see http://createdequal.neh.gov). “Created Equal” encourages communities across the country to revisit and reflect on the long history of civil rights in America.

The Avon Library is the first East Coast stop for the national tour of this exhibit and the only library in Connecticut selected to host this special exhibit. Students and teachers are encouraged to visit the exhibit, please call the library to arrange class or group visits. Learn the story of civil rights in America from November 1, 2014—December 16, 2014 at the Avon Public Library

The exhibit will be on display in the library’s community room and open during regular library hours except when a program is in process: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, Wednesday 10:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. All events are free, no registration is required. The Avon Public Library is at 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001. For more information please call the library 860-673-9712 ext.4 or view www.avonctlibrary.info.