Literacy Volunteers Students Take Trip to Monticello
On Wednesday, October 23, Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/ Albemarle organized a field trip for its English as a Second Language students to Monticello to learn more about American history and Thomas Jefferson’s life. Twenty-four students and tutors were able to attend.
“We are dedicated to helping our students not only learn English, but to learn more about American culture and history. For many of our students, citizenship is a major goal, so activities such as these help students experience United States history first hand,” said Executive Director Ellen Osborne.
The students enjoyed their tour of Monticello and many commented on the number of books Thomas Jefferson owned. “The students admired Thomas Jefferson’s ingenuity in particular,” said Amie Whittemore, LVCA staff member who joined the students and tutors on the trip. “Many of them commented on his clock in the front hall and his dumbwaiter in the dining room.”
LVCA offers civics-oriented workshops throughout the year, including talks with city council members and advice on navigating the healthcare system. Some of these activities are funded through a Virginia Department of Education grant focused on Civics education.
YMCA Hosts “Ghouls Night Out” Tonight, October 24
In order to celebrate Halloween, the YMCA at the Jefferson School City Center will host a “Ghouls Night Out” featuring a flashlight maze, games, treats, and a dance party, 6:00-8:00pm October 24. YMCA instructor Devyn Wildy will DJ the “Monster Mash” dance party. The event is open to the public and costs $5 per family and family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
The YMCA encourages families to also take part in Carver Recreation Center’s pumpkin carving contest, also happening October 24 from 6:00-8:00pm. The carving contest costs $5 per pumpkin and pre-registration is required. To register or learn more, call or visit Carver Rec: (434) 970-3053.
Artist Reception and Community Discussion Upcoming at African American Heritage Center
On Saturday, October 25 at 6:00pm, Daphne Maxwell-Reid will discuss her new exhibit at the African American Heritage Center, “Doors Open the World to Your Dreams.” Maxwell-Reid’s work focuses on her travels and captures images of portals, doors, gates, and architectural details. These images harken back to her childhood explorations as well as her latest trip to Morocco.
The exhibit will be up through January 11, 2015 and a reception will follow the talk. This event is free and open to the public.
On Tuesday, October 28, 6:00-7:00pm, the African American Heritage will host a community discussion about reinterpreting slavery at local sites. Gary Sandling, Vice President of Visitor Programs and Services at Monticello, Matt Reeves, Director of Archealogy at Montpelier, and Ben Ford, Principal Investigator with Rivanna Archaeological Services will lead the discussion.
Slavery and early African American history are central to the history of the region, which attracts over 500,000 visitors per year for historic tourism. Three major attractions–Monticello, Montpelier, and the University of Virginia–are in the process of reevaluating the way slavery is presented to the public and are endeavoring to tell a more accurate and personal history of slavery. This ommunity discussion will focus on the way slavery is presented at these sites. Gary Sandling, Matt Reeves, and Ben Ford will make brief presentations on how each site has researched and interpreted its slave history. After the presentations, audience members are encouraged to ask questions and give their ideas about how Monticello, Montpelier and UVA can better reflect community desires in their interpretation of antebellum African American history.
There will be a reception following the discussion. This event is free and open to the public.
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
