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<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Registration for the Heritage Gathering from the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission is now live:
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-michigan-underground-railroad-heritage-gathering-tickets-995451751987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-michigan-underground-railroad-heritage-gathering-tickets-995451751987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch</a>! It takes place at the Michigan Library and Historical Center at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing on Saturday, September 21 · 8:30am
- 3:30pm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>About this event<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Michigan Underground Railroad Heritage Gathering, hosted by the <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/about/advisors-supporters/michigan-freedom-trail-commission" target="_blank" title="https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/about/advisors-supporters/michigan-freedom-trail-commission">Michigan
Freedom Trail Commission</a>, is an annual conference for individuals, organizations and communities interested in our state’s Underground Railroad heritage. Building off previous gatherings, the 2024 conference will provide opportunities for learning and
networking through keynote speakers, workshops, and group and individual presentations.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The theme for this year’s gathering is "Working toward Freedom: Occupations and the Underground Railroad." Hosted at the <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mhc" target="_blank" title="https://www.michigan.gov/mhc">Michigan History Center</a> in
Lansing, the conference will explore how certain occupations provided people with greater opportunity to be involved in assisting freedom seekers: hotel keepers and staff, tavern keepers, toll gate keepers, barbers, pastors and denominational official, even
farmers. Those who worked at key locations, in places where information was exchanged or traveled regularly often played vital roles in the Underground Railroad.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Registration fee covers the cost of lunch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission preserves, protects and promotes the rich legacy of the Underground Railroad and the antislavery movement in Michigan.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more information, please contact Sherif Giffin at giffins@michigan.gov.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Mindy Babarskis<br>
Reference Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Michigan Collection<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Library of Michigan<br>
(517) 335-1457<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:BabarskisM@michigan.gov">BabarskisM@michigan.gov</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Interested in donating to the Library of Michigan or the Library of Michigan Foundation? Visit our
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/about/make-a-gift">Make a Gift</a> webpage to learn more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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