To the Editor:

Agriculture has long been a critical part of the culture of our area. We often hear of the farming practices of the indigenous peoples and of the early Dutch settlers of our locale, and we see throughout our early history the expansion of farms and of the families who owned them.

However, the important role African Americans played in the development of our agricultural success has been largely ignored.

Michael Lucas, the speaker at the February program for the New Scotland Historical Association, is the curator of historical archaeology at the New York State Museum. He has made the study of the contributions made by African-American farmers and laborers a focus of his research so that their stories may be more widely known and appreciated.

Of special interest is his study of the Powell Farmstead in Albany County, a rare example of a farm owned by African Americans. Archaeological excavations of the site have uncovered fascinating details of the everyday life of this family.

Besides the uncovering of artifacts, Dr. Lucas emphasizes the importance of preserving sites such as these that are so important to our heritage. If allowed to disappear, they will be gone forever. 

For a richly informative afternoon, please join us at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center in New Salem at 7 The Old New Salem Road.

Admission is always free. 

The New Scotland Historical Association Museum will be open for a half-hour before the program.

Judy Kimes

Publicist

New Scotland

Historical Association