A News and Tribune Publication
June 19, 2014 — Issue 21
n e v a y t i l i t os
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amid
d a o r l i a R d dergroun
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U s h t r a e n u s Pam Peter
TOP THREE
Founder's Day
PLAYLIST
Jordan Amos
EVENT
Churchill Adventure
2 SoIn
June 19, 2014 Publisher Bill Hanson Editor Jason Thomas Design Claire Munn Photography Christopher Fryer
WHERE TO FIND SoIn:
ON RACKS: We offer free copies of SoIn at numerous hotels and restaurants around Clark and Floyd counties. IN YOUR PAPER: Every Thursday in the News and Tribune ONLINE: newsandtribune.com /soin ON FACEBOOK: /YourSoInWeekly
On the Cover:
Author and historian Pam Peters sits in the sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, also known as Town Clock Church, along Main Street in New Albany. Photo by Christopher Fryer
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Seeing the beacon of hope in SoIn
Southern Indiana is rich in history. But it was the poor and enslaved — literally shackled from freedom — that left an indelible mark on the ages. Especially in New Albany. The Carnegie Center for Art & History’s “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Jason Thomas, Editor Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad” is a gripping and astonishingly polished account of New Albany’s role in the secret passage of slaves from the South toward freedom. Based on the book “The Underground Railroad in Floyd County, Indiana,” by Pam Peters, it’s a mustsee for anyone remotely interested in the human condition. Which should be all of us. Go see it. All of this happened right in our backyard. As
you’ll read about in Daniel Suddeath’s cover story, ushering slaves along freedom’s path took a community — families helping families, providing food, clothing and medicine. Suddeath talked to the authority on the subject for his story: Peters. We should be so lucky to understand how Southern Indiana played such a crucial role in shedding light on one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history. Not that it was all butterflies and puppy dogs. It was messy. Controversial. Nasty. Turbulent. The local newspaper even spurred on violence against blacks, Suddeath writes. Despite the muck, Southern Indiana — specifically Town Clock Church and its piercing steeple — remained a beacon of hope for those whose eyes were fixed on something greater. Let’s all work to see the light. — Jason Thomas is the editor of SoIn. He can be reached by phone at 812-206-2127 or email at jason. thomas@newsandtribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ ScoopThomas.
Go for a family adventure at Churchill Family Adventure Day set for Sunday
A birthday extravaganza for Junior Jockey Club Mascot Churchill Charlie will be the highlight of an action-paced Family Adventure Day Presented by Kroger at Churchill Downs, according to a news release from the racetrack. Churchill Downs Paddock Plaza will be transformed Sunday into a birthday-themed playground for Family Adventure Day that features face painters, a petting zoo, six-pony carousel, sidewalk chalking area, and a variety of themed inflatables. Family activities include a Hula Hoop contest, corn hole, nine-hole miniature golf and stick horse races inside the Churchill Downs Paddock. Live entertainment takes place throughout the day and includes a strolling magician, break dancers and a DJ on the Plaza Stage. The new Grandstand Pavilion (including Sections 326-328) has been designated as a family friendly
area for the day where guests can gather for group dining and seating to watch the races. It also allows convenient access to family activities in the Plaza. A Family Pavilion wristband is required to use the area and take part in all Family Adventure Day activities. Guests are encouraged to purchase wristbands in advance for $5 per person at ChurchillDowns.com/FamilyAdventureDay or $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12 at the track on the day of the event. Children younger than three are free. Churchill Charlie will also host Charlie’s Corner for kids three
and younger and a meet and greet with several of his other character friends, including Sweet Frog, the vineyard vines whale, the Louisville Bats’ Buddy the Bat and LG&E’s Louis the Lighting Bug. The
Kentucky Derby Museum will add to the day’s festivities by hosting a meet & greet with the museum’s resident miniature horse Winston, story time, and printmaking crafts. Other attractions include a fire truck
from the Louisville Metro Fire Department and a helicopter from the Louisville Metro Police Department. Family Adventure Day participants can also purchase Kona Ice with a variety of tropical favors.
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June 19, 2014
Founding Father What: Charlestown Founder’s Day
See today's News and Tribune for a full schedule
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday Where: Downtown Charlestown Charlestown celebrates its birthday and honor the man for whom the town was named, Charles Beggs. Major regional bands performing each evening, including the Louisville Crashers, amusement rides, a parade Saturday morning, Arts & Crafts on the Square, a variety of food booths and more.
2
3 BIG MONEY
What: “The Hoosier Millionaire Show” live When: 7 p.m. tonight Where: New Albany Riverfront Amphitheatre Indiana’s favorite game show, “The Hoosier Millionaire Show,” is back for the summer. The sixth contestant will be selected from the audience at 6:15, so get there early (doors open at 5 p.m.) and enter your non-winning 25th Anniversary Hoosier Millionaire Scratch-offs for your chance to play Hoosier Millionaire.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
What: Free art show When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday Where: Journey Church, 423 State St., New Albany Community is something that is assembled by conscious and unconscious means. Here you will find works that interplay this idea of visual landmarks and icons alongside more abstract placements that all assemble to create a sense of cohesion and support that is only seen through it’s connection and reflection of it’s surrounding parts. This is systematic community in action. Artists Kacy Machir and Norman Spencer will be showcasing their artwork.
Gotta Go: Interested in seeing your event in our 3 To Go?
Email SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com
3 To Go
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Straight from the Hart The Hart Strings to play free gig There’s no place like home ... help welcome back local band The Hart Strings from its summer tour on June 28. The Hart Strings, along with Nashville-based Charlie and the Foxtrots, will be covering five states in 10 days, ending on a sweet (folkrock) note at Jimmy’s Music Center, 123 Market St. in New Albany, at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28. All ages are welcome and admission is $5. The Hart Strings will be playing from Tennessee to the Carolinas,
What: Free concert When: 7 p.m. June 28 Where: Jimmy’s Music Center, 123 Market St., New Albany
but you may have heard them locally on 91.9 WFPK’s Live Lunch earlier this month. Come show the band what hometown fans are all about June 28, and while it’s away on tour, check out the band’s music at TheHartStrings.com
openly
Covert the original steeple is pictured above the clock tower of town Clock Church, also currently known as second baptist Church, in an old photograph on display in the historic structure located along main street in new albany. the site was once part of the Underground Railroad in new albany. sUbmitted Photo
Underground Railroad about actions of people
Civil Rights CelebRation
• To mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Division Street School and Howard Chapel are hosting a commemoration event at 2 p.m. Sunday. The event will include speakers followed by a procession from Howard Chapel to Division Street School, where there will be an ice cream social. The event is free and open to the public.
the Chu its s free
leaRn moRe
To learn more about the Underground Railroad in Indiana, and to read a copy of Peters’ essay, visit the website in.gov/dnr/ historic.
BY DANIEL SUDDEATH daniel.suddeath@newsandtribune.com
hoW to helP
Less than two years into the project, the organization Friends of the Town Clock Church has raised about $233,000 toward the rehabilitation of the building that is the namesake of the organization. And the focus is on the former focal point of Town Clock Church — the sizable steeple that served as a sign of freedom to slaves coming from Kentucky during the Civil War era. Recently, crews replaced windows and worked on the outside of the church. With $10,000 to $15,000 more in contributions, organizers said the window work can be completed on the church, which is located at 300 E. Main St.
SEE inFo, PAGE 7
S
Jerry Finn, of Friends of the town Clock Church and the executive director of the horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, speaks while a crew with dm masonry works to place one of the four restored clock faces back on the clock tower of the second baptist Church during a ceremony at the historic site in downtown new albany last summer.
outhern Indiana’s connection to the Underground Railroad wasn’t all secret pathways and passages. In fact, it was more about families helping other families, and members of a community providing food, medical aid and clothing for those on the run. New Albany historian and author Pam Peters has dedicated an abundance of hours to researching slavery and the culture of Southern Indiana during the Civil War era. She authored “The Underground Railroad in Floyd County, Indiana,” which was released in 2001, and was also instrumental in discovering the history of former slave turned Civil War nurse Lucy Higgs Nichols.
She wrote a published essay for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources titled “Gateway to Freedom” which sheds more light on how the Underground Railroad functioned locally. It wasn’t all about hidden entrances and tunnels, Peters wrote. The Underground Railroad in New Albany, primarily because of its proximity to Louisville, aided slaves with money, shelter and food. Such assertions are backed up by state researchers who have proven the Underground Railroad often referred to families who were opening their homes to runaway slaves. Church members played a part in the Underground Railroad in New Albany. Restoration is ongoing at historic Town Clock Church, which is located at the intersection of Third and Main streets in
of a hostile atmosphere.” But in New Albany, the actions weren’t as covert as the title Underground Railroad would have you believe. Recently, Peters was contacted by Allen Calwell, pastor at St. John’s Presbyterian in New Albany. He had discovered a newspaper article that dated back to 1864 which shed more light on the work of church members to aid slaves who were seeking freedom. Second Baptist Church is the congregation that worships at Town Clock Church presently. During the Civil War Era, it was Second Presbyterian Church. While the First Presbyterian Church traditionally opposed slavery during that time period, its members weren’t as active in combating the practice. Second Presbyterian Church took a more assertive role in abolishment, and Peters said it openly denounced slavery. While it may have seemed logical for people in what were deemed northern cities to oppose slavery, the country, and especially Southern Indiana, was more divided than what many believe. The turbulent times strained New Albany residents. The local newspaper even spurred on violence against blacks,
e clock tower on top of the second baptist urch, also known as town Clock Church, and steeple were signs of hope for slaves seeking edom on the Underground Railroad. Photos by ChRistoPheR FRyeR
downtown New Albany. The church served as a beacon of hope for slaves after it was constructed in 1849. Peters said they could see the sizable steeple from across the Ohio River, where the slave pits brimmed with men and women who yearned for freedom. While slavery was illegal in Indiana, there’s evidence that the practice took place in Floyd County during the Civil War era. Peters said it was also not uncommon for scouts to cross the Ohio River and capture free black men and women to take to Louisville where they became slaves. But there were people in New Albany who detested slavery. Town Clock Church was a focal point of that resistance. “I see this place as a pocket of friendship and hospitality to the black community,” Peters said. “It was a haven in the middle
as it was widely viewed as pro-slavery during the Civil War era. That fact is proven even more so by Calwell’s discovery. The article he found was from a Presbyterian publication, not the local newspaper, and it detailed a visit to New Albany by a group of educators who were associated with the Underground Railroad. The article revealed connections in that ministry and the members of Second Presbyterian. Church members were reaching out to people who needed their help, and it was more or less an open secret that most in the community winked at. Jerry Finn has been instrumental in the revitalization of the structure, and along with Irv Stumler and other volunteers, he organized Friends of the Town Clock Church. Not only is it important to bolster the building for Second Baptist Church, but also as a shrine to the Second Presbyterian members who took a stand against inequity, Finn said. “They saw an injustice occurring and said ‘we want to make this right,’” Finn said inside the church building. “I just feel like this is a holy spot.”
SEE ChURCh, PAGE 7
Cinder blocks cover up the entrance to a tunnel that connected the town Clock Church, also currently known as second baptist Church, and a building across main street that once served as a Civil War hospital. it is believed that the tunnel was used to help slaves receive medical care when the church was part of the Underground Railroad.
second baptist Church, also known as town Clock Church, located along main street in new albany, was once part of the Underground Railroad.
DARE TO DREAM
Join Floyd Central’s best theater students and staff for an exciting week of imagination, creativity and adventure at its summer camp. Campers in grades three through nine will participate in a variety of workshops throughout the week, led by members of Floyd Central’s award winning Theatre Arts program. Grouped with other kids in their age group, campers will get hands on experience with a variety of theatrical activities, including acting, dance, singing, puppetry, technical theater and more. The camp will even work on advanced audition techniques for older students as well as on songs from “The Wizard of Oz” for younger students who are looking forward to auditioning
6 Entertainment
June 19, 2014
When: 9 a.m. to noon June 30- July 4
Cost: $100 More information:
Call Robbie Steiner at 812542-8504, ext. 3032
for munchkins in its production of that show this fall. Whether you have lots of experience in theater or just want to try it out, this week is sure to be fun for all.
Movies:
albums:
June 19
June 23
é “Jersey Boys”
“Think Like a Man Too” “The Rover”
é “X” by Ed Sheeran
June 24
“These Days” by Ab-Soul “Electric Brick Wall” by Black Bananas
t.v. premieres: June 22
é “The Last Ship” (TNT)
“Falling Skys” (TNT) June 24 “Tyrant” (FX)
this week's soin PLAYLIST Q&A interview WITh
Jordan amos Info: 21, Henryville Bookings: Email Jordan at Jordansoma92@aol.com. Online: Facebook. com/JordanAmosMusic Please describe your sound/inspiration: Country with a mix of rock. Johnny Cash meets Garth Brooks. I love traditional country as well as some newer, rock driven country. I started out a huge Elvis fan and branched out to country after that. How did you get into music? I started playing guitar at age 8, and loved it. My grandpa had an old beat up red guitar I would strum on and I quickly moved up to something a little better. I soon would learn mandolin, banjo, drums and now I also play piano and harmonica. I also took lessons from Jeff Guernsey who toured with Vince Gill and Steve Wariner. Music is in my blood. How would you explain your guitar playing, your sound? My biggest guitar influences are Keith Urban, John Mayer,
Upcoming gigs:
June 21: Big Four Burgers + Beer, Jeffersonville, 8 p.m. to midnight
June 28: Wicks Pizza Parlor, New Albany, 8 to 11 p.m.
ONLINE: Facebook.com/Jordan AmosMusic
and Slash. I love the way they form solos into melodies instead of just notes. What are your goals? I want to graduate college and move to Nashville. I'm currently getting my music business degree [at Indiana University Southeast] but I would love to try and make it as an artist. What do you make of the local music scene? There is a great variety in the Louisville/ Southern Indiana region. On any given night you can listen to a rock band, country act, bluegrass group or any number of things. It's pretty awesome.
June 19, 2014
Entertainment 7
CHURCH: Goal to be on railroad network CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Local SoIn Happenings Feeling left out? Send your establishment’s and/ or organization’s upcoming events/new features/entertainment information to SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com
Live music at Hoopsters Bar and Grill
When: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Hoopsters, 830 E. 10th St., Jeffersonville Friday: The Big Rock Show; Saturday: Hillbilly Rush
Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m. Saturday (ongoing) Where: New Albany Farmers Market, 202 E. Market St. The Downtown New Albany Farmer's market is a managed by Develop New Albany with help from volunteers in the New Albany community.
Farmers Market
RiverStage
Where: Spring Street and Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville 9 p.m. Friday, Louisville Brass & Electric; 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Anchors-A-Weigh Yoga; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Twilight Cinema: “Tangled”
Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon (May 31 through Oct. 25) Downtown Jeffersonville at the corner of Chestnut and Locust streets (on the Wall Street United Methodist Church lot). Tuesdays: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (June 3 through Oct. 28) At the 10th Street entrance to Jeffersonville High School Jeffersonville Main Street, Inc., is accepting applications for the Farmers Market. Both food and art/craft applications are available online at jeffmainstreet. org.
Bicentennial Park Concert Series
When: 6 p.m. Friday Where: Bicentennial Park, Pearl and Spring streets, New Albany Machines Are People Too (free)
INFO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Music at Huber Winery
When: 1 to 5 p.m. on weekends Where: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards, 19816 Huber Road, Starlight Saturday: Dean Heckel; Sunday: Corey and Stacey [huberwinery.com]
Live music at Big Four Burgers + Beer
Where: Big Four Burgers + Beer, 134 Spring St., Jeffersonville Friday, 8 to midnight, Eric and Kenney; Saturday, 9 p.m.: Jordan Amos
Live music at Wick’s
Where: Wick’s Pizza Parlor, 225 State St., New Albany When: Friday and Saturday Friday: 8 to 9:30 p.m., R&R; 10 to 11:30 p.m.; Midnight Radio; Saturday: 8 to 9:30 p.m., South Upland; 10 to 11:30 p.m., Kevin Cummings Band [wickspizza.com]
And it’s important to have the church not only refurbished and protected physically, but recognized nationally, Peters added. The goal is to have Town Clock Church included on the National Underground Railroad: Network to Freedom register, which is sponsored by the National Parks Service. Peters’ research has helped uncover several links in the Underground Railroad and New Albany, especially among free blacks in the city and black families in Louisville. There were also ties to the Presbyterian church in some of those discoveries. She detailed the roles Shadrach Henderson, James Cunningham and Moses Bard played in the Underground Railroad. The three were arrested for attempting to transport two slaves from Kentucky to Canada in the early 1850s. New Albany to Washington County — which had pockets of black families residing there — was a popular route for transporting runaway slaves at the time, and Bard had actually taken the pair as far as Salem before doubling back to New Albany. In her essay, Peters said the men may have believed they were being followed by slave hunters. Bard — who used the alias Hurst — hid the slaves in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at the corner of Seventh and Elm streets after they returned from Salem. They had hatched another plan to escape to Canada, but the slaves were discovered and arrested by the New Albany constable before they could leave. Bard and Henderson were later arrested, and they implicated Cunningham as their Kentucky contact, according to Peters’ research. The constable received a $250 reward for capturing the slaves. Cunningham paid $500 bail and was released. There are no court records describing what happened to Bard and Henderson. Essentially, the Southern Indiana “gateway” to the Underground Railroad was more about assisting slaves and families rather than sneaking slaves through hidden tunnels, Peters said.
Cash on Delivery
When: Through June 29 Where: Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville Tickets: Call 812-288-8281 or visit derbydinner.com. “Cash on Delivery” is a fast-paced farce about a con artist who has duped the welfare authorities for years by claiming every type of benefit for the innumerable people he claims live at his address. This scam nets him tens of thousands of tax free dollars. Just when he decides to kill off many of the imaginary recipients, the welfare investigators show up and things get a bit risky and he tries to outwit them by enlisting the help of his crazy friends and family.
However, to replicate and replace the steeple, the nonprofit group will need to raise an additional $150,000. • To learn more about how to donate to the restoration efforts at Town Clock Church, visit the website townclockchurch.org
Underground at Carnegie
If you want a hands-on educational experience about New Albany’s critical role in the Underground Railroad, look no further than the “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad” exhibit at the Carnegie Center for Art & History. The exhibit draws the national phenomenon of the Under-
ground Railroad into sharp focus by revealing the contributions of ordinary people, both free and enslaved, whose courageous acts on both sides of the Ohio River helped overthrow the institution of slavery, according to Carnegie’s website. This exhibit explores the lives of real people, both free and enslaved, whose selfless acts of courage helped fugitive slaves find hope and freedom, the website states. Based on the book “The Underground Railroad in Floyd County, Indiana,” by Pam Peters, this powerful story is woven through actual newspaper accounts, artifacts, and revealing illustrations and photographs into a rich experience highlighted by a dramatic, interactive feature-length multimedia presentation. [carnegiecenter.org]
St. Mary’s 30th Annual Festival & Street Dance 8 & Spring Streets - New Albany, IN th
SAT. JUNE 21 Chicken & Dumplings and Grill Family Festival 1:00p - 6:00p Bingo, Wheels, Kid’s Games, Inflatables Raffles, 50/50
Street Dance 7:00p - 1:00a Adults Only - $10 Cover Casino, Beer Garden, Food
&
All New: Battle of the Bands!
Thanks to our Sponsors! Seabrook Dieckmann and Naville Funeral Homes, Inc. Anna Banet
Grant Line Nursery and Garden Center Marilyn Christiansen St. Mary’s Graduate Sponsors
KB’s Lawn Service LLC George and Beth Ott Retailers Supply Company, Inc Hagedorn Collision Center, Inc. Mortenson Family Dental Center, Inc.
Class of 1971: Robin Schueler Coulter, Nancy Block Miller, Nancy Kraft Molnar, & Darlene Nelson Townsend Class of 1999: Joseph Molnar & Patrick Cody Class of 2001: Amy Dean Farrar, Elizabeth Lewen & Audrey Molnar Class of 2003: Elizabeth Hagedorn & Christine Hoffman
Visit us at: www.stmarysna.org License # 134102