Moderated by Dr. Kori Graves, Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany, this three-part presentation will shed light on the varying experiences of free people of color an emerging community in 19th-century Albany.

Kathryn Kosto, Executive Director, Albany County Historical Association, will present on Roseanna Vosburgh, who was born into slavery and emerged as a philanthropist and supporter of her community while working for the Olcotts for 63 years at Ten Broeck Mansion.

Shawna Reilly, Education Coordinator at Historic Cherry Hill, will introduce the Knapp family, four African American siblings raised as wards and servants in Van Rensselaer households. The Knapps left an impressive collection of personal letters and belongings at Cherry Hill that tell the story of their struggles for autonomy and their strong ties of kinship.

Dr. Kori A. Graves, Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany, will share her research on C. Mary Williams and her family, African Americans living in Albany from the early 1800s to the end of the century.