Programs

ALLEGANY COUNTY AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY: PEOPLE AND PLACES

Although African Americans comprise only 6% of the population in Western Maryland, they played important roles in the history of Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. Al Feldstein has uncovered many of their stories related to slavery and free blacks, the Underground Railroad, education, the military, religion, segregation and integration, and more. Focusing on Allegany County’s African American people, places, and events, this lively presentation engages audiences in discussing how they can explore contributions of groups previously unrecognized in other Maryland communities.

Al Feldstein, a multi-award-winning amateur public historian, has published over 30 books, prints, and videotapes depicting the history of all three Western Maryland counties - Allegany, Garrett and Washington as well as nearby West Virginia. His political history poster titled, "Buttons of the Cause, 1960-2003" (www.buttonsofthecause.com) was accepted in 2005 for exhibit and sale at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History in Washington. In 2007 and 2008, Feldstein developed three educational web sites in collaboration with the Western Maryland Historical Library focusing upon historic women, presidential campaign buttons, and African-American history, which was honored with the 2008 Maryland African-American Heritage Preservation Award. He is a regional planner and the Appalachian Regional Commission Program Manager for the Maryland Department of Planning and holds an MA in Administration and Supervision from Frostburg State University.