2nd Passport to Manchester Event to focus on water power and Underground Railroad in Manchester
Interior of passport booklet. Photo courtesy of Aileen Rohwer.
Coming off of the success of the first Passport to Manchester Event held on June 12th, tickets are now available for the second event in this brand new and summer program co-sponsored by the Manchester Area Historical Society and Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization. The second Passport event is June 26 at Sharon Mills County Park, and will focus on the Role of Water Power Industries and the Underground Railroad in Manchester
The River Raisin has proven pivotal to the growth of the Manchester area for centuries. Attend this event at the Sharon Mills County Park for tours of the mill buildings and surrounding park and learn about the history of water-powered industries in the area — and specifically Amasa Gillett’s role in the development of the mill.
Amasa Gillett was also a major supporter of the Underground Railroad, and his home served as a safe haven for escaping slaves. A talk on the Underground Railroad will be followed by musical performances exploring music by Black composers.
Advanced Registration Recommended as there will be limited capacity of 20 guests for each segment. Tickets are $15 per person and available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/passport-to-manchester-tickets-157496754031. You also have the option to purchase a boxed lunch from Fresh Forage for an additional $10 and/or a handmade letterpress Passport Keepsake Booklet for $7.
All Current Covid-Safety Guidelines as issued by the Washtenaw County Health Department will be followed.
The event begins at 10 am and includes a walking tour and presentation of the Sharon Mill buildings and equipment, a break, a presentation on Amasa Gillett, a break, and live music by Voce Velata.
The youth-driven Voce Velata ensemble studies and performs works by BIPOC and women composers. They will be performing Novelletten No. 3 by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912); String Quartet in A minor, Movement II by Florence Price (1887-1953); String Quartet No. 6 in D major by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799); and Serenade for Strings, Movement I by Teresa Carreño (1853-1917). Voce Velata Performers include Julian Trippell, Gabe Hennebury, Luke Hennebury, Myra Jamin, Emma Li, and Alden Rohwer
Riverfolk was just awarded $7,000 from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to assist with its Passport to Manchester project. This money will help cover expenses associated with hiring musicians and artists to support the program. It was part of the AAACF's Art and Culture Program with focus on contributing to the overall health and welfare of our community related to Covid ramifications.
In addition to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, this event is supported in part by the Manchester Area Historical Society, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Arts Midwest US Resiliency Fund.
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