Where: Historic Stagville (5828 Old Oxford Road, Durham NC 27712)

Mary D. Williams, gospel singer and historian, will present on African-American music, from the spirituals and work songs of slavery to the protest songs of the Civil Rights movement. Her presentation will include powerful a capella performance of songs, as she explains the history and traditions of the music. Be prepared to participate and sing along!

This event is free and open to all. The performance will begin at 1 p.m. and be followed by a question and answer session. There will be limited seating available, so arrive early. This event will be on the Bennehan House section of the site, not at Horton Grove.

About Mary D. Williams:

Mary has traveled to more than 40 colleges and universities, more

than 40 public schools, hundreds of churches, libraries, and several civic education consortium trainings, performing song and narrative

of the Black South. She is an acclaimed gospel singer, performer, educator, and historian. Mary, along with friend and colleague Dr. Timothy B. Tyson, have taught a community-based college course, “The South in Black and White: History, Culture and Politics in the 20th Century South." She graduated with a B.A. in American Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is an adjunct professor at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies.