A discussion of African-Americans’ Berkshires history and culture as well as the stories and voices not being told or heard, 'Being Black in the Berkshires' will remember the past, assess the present and plan for the future.
“His love of rivers and his dedication to environmental justice play a very small part, but can be a lens through which to understand his fuller achievements. There is no better place in the world to tell this part of the story, at the very spot where he was ‘born by a golden river.’ ”
-- Rachel Fletcher, founder of River Walk
The Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail.
Comprised of two parts, the historic structure report will provide a detailed assessment of the physical condition of the building, recommendations for immediate actions needed to stabilize the building and a catalog of specific elements of architectural or historic value.
“We made it. We have reached the first step on the ladder. We have raised enough to purchase and secure the building.”
-- Wray Gunn, longtime member of the Clinton Church and chair of Clinton Church Restoration (CCR)
The concept of an auction to get the fundraising rolling salted some deep historic wounds when one African-American attendee felt the auction process harkened back to the auction blocks of slavery.
Great Barrington native and African-American author, scholar and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois attended the church as a child. The church is registered as an important site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail and on the National Register of Historic Places.