To celebrate Black History Month, the Local History Department at the Niagara Falls Public Library has invited Michael Boston, professor of African & African-American Studies at SUNY Brockport, to give a talk on Saturday about his 2021 book, “Blacks in Niagara Falls.”
While researching his book, Boston recorded more than 60 interviews with Black Niagarans. During his talk, Boston will share some of the major themes that the interviewees shared with him about their lives in the city. This covers topics such as migration, jobs, housing, churches, the Niagara Community Center, recreation and discrimination.
During the event, materials from the Local History Department’s collections will also be available for attendees to view outside of the archives. Boston’s talk will take place at the Niagara Falls Public Library Main Branch, 1425 Main St., from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
This talk and all previous events in the Speakers Series have been sponsored by the Friends of the Niagara Falls Public Library.
Since September, the Local History Department has held a monthly Speaker Series to help commemorate and exhibit the rich history of Niagara Falls. In January, the Local History Department invited Mary Helen Miskuly, registrar at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University (CAM), to present “Conserving Niagara.” Miskuly spoke about two recently conserved paintings on view through March 31st, 2024 at the CAM, that represent the heritage of Niagara Falls and River. Her talk also focused on future efforts by CAM and the community to preserve and care for artworks that need repair.
To register for the event, please email nflh@nioga.org or call the Local History Department at 716-286-4899 with your name, email, and phone number. You can find more information about any other upcoming events from the Local History Department on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LocalHistoryNFPL/.