Author Event: In Defiance: Runaways from Slavery in New York’s Hudson River Valley

In this local history talk and author event Susan Stessin-Cohn, former professor of social studies education at SUNY New Paltz and Director of Education at Historic Huguenot Street, and current New Paltz Historian, will speak on her 20+ years of research into the history of slavery in the Hudson River Valley, with a particular focus on the plight of the “runaways”—enslaved persons who sought freedom by escaping from their enslavers. Stessin-Cohn and her research partner, Ashley Hurlburt-Biagini, have brought to light 830 notices of enslavers of the Hudson Valley who placed notices of rewards for the recapture of their enslaved “runaways”. The second edition of the book includes 250 more notices. Copies can be purchased at the event, courtesy of Spotty Dog Books & Ale. Registration: No registration required; all are welcome.