Pursuant to the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act, The African American History in Westchester Commemoration Committee (#AAHW400) and the African American Advisory Board of Westchester County will host a tour of the Rye African American Cemetery together with the Friends of the African American Cemetery, Westchester County Historical Society and Jay Heritage Center. Hear the narratives of real families – men, women and children – who contributed to the fabric of our community. See how their lives are being researched and celebrated. Watch demonstrations of monument cleaning and learn about the preservation of this historic property.
Following docent led tours, visitors will be welcomed to a free Photo Exhibit and Reception at the Jay Heritage Center’s 1907 Carriage House.
More info to follow with updates on the official #AAHW Facebook Page
11am – 3pm
Learn more about the 13 sites on Westchester County’s African American Heritage Trail here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
400 Years of African-American History Commission Act
(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the 400 Years of African-American History Commission to develop and carry out activities throughout the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.
The commission must:
- plan programs to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States;
- encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities;
- assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; and
- coordinate for the public scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to this country.
(Sec. 5) The commission may provide: (1) grants to communities and nonprofit organizations for the development of programs; (2) grants to research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in the United States; and (3) technical assistance to states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration.
(Sec. 7) The commission must prepare a strategic plan and submit a final report to Congress that contains a summary of its activities, an accounting of its received and expended funds, and its recommendations.
(Sec. 8) The commission shall terminate on July 1, 2020.
(Sec. 9) All expenditures of the commission shall be made solely from donated funds.