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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Carrie Kiewitt, 410-626-1033, carrie.kiewitt
DATE: Friday, January 22, 2010

Black History Month Seminar: Project Run-A-Way

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, Friday, January 22, 2010—Come together for Historic Annapolis Foundation's 2nd Annual Black History Month Seminar on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center in Annapolis. This year's seminar will introduce and launch the foundation's multifaceted "Project Run-A-Way."

"Project Run-A-Way" is the brainchild of Scotti Preston and Janice Hayes-Williams, who, using the detailed descriptions of runaway slaves and servants found in 18th- and 19th-century newspaper advertisements, envisioned a new thought-provoking production, a "fashion show" of sorts, featuring living history re-enactors depicting runaways as described in the ads. Historic Annapolis Foundation embraced this seed idea first planted by the "4 Women of Annapolis" team and will nurture it as a key component of a larger research and education project.

This expanded effort will use the Maryland Gazette and Maryland Republican newspapers published in Annapolis as its primary sources for runaway ads to develop not only a touring living history production, but also a companion exhibit of replica garments worn by runaways, a searchable online database of ads, partnerships with local educators and students, and a blog about the project's progress and preliminary findings. The Maryland Humanities Council recently awarded grant funds to Historic Annapolis Foundation to support the development and presentation of "Project Run-A-Way" in 2010 and 2011.

Audience members at the February 6 Black History Month Seminar will have the opportunity to learn about and voice their own thoughts regarding this ambitious new project while it is still in its formative stage. Seminar presenters and panelists include historian Jean Russo, Janice Hayes-Williams of Our Local Legacy, Rachel Frazier of the Maryland State Archives, re-enactor Renee Spears, Health Freedom Walk director Jeanne Charleston, and Historic Annapolis Foundation staff members Heather Ersts, Scotti Preston, and Glenn E. Campbell.

This half-day seminar is offered free to the public and will be held in Annapolis at the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, located at 1101 Smithville Street. The event begins with a light continental breakfast at 8:45 a.m., followed by the presentations and panel discussion from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information or to make a make an advance reservation for the seminar, visit www.annapolis.org or call 410-267-8146.

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