Black History
Annual Black Memorabilia Show Coming to Montgomery County
WASHINGTON INFORMER — The indoor educational event showcases 400 years of African-American history and culture
By WI Web Staff
The annual National Black Memorabilia, Fine Art & Craft Show will be held April 6-7 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Md.
The indoor educational event showcases 400 years of African-American history and culture aligned with enslaved Africans who first arrived in 1619 in the country. The two-day show will include a variety of vendors, educational exhibits, seminars, book signings and celebrity autograph sessions.
Items for sale include slavery artifacts, historical documents, black dolls, books, autographs, stamps, coins, toys, kitchen collectibles, advertisements, paintings, prints, magazines, jewelry, textiles, political and civil rights memorabilia, sports and entertainment memorabilia and much more. There will also be a seminar, “The Importance of Collecting Black Memorabilia,” hosted by Jeannette Carson, co-founder of the first Black Memorabilia Show in 1984.
Authors participating in book signings include Jeannette Carson, Askia Muhammad, Col. Charles McGee and A. Peter Bailey. Celebrity appearances will be made by actress Daphne Maxwell Reid of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” fame and basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones.
General admission is $7, and students are admitted free. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7.
For more information, call 301-649-1915, email ljohnsonshows@aol.com, or go www.johnsonshows.com or www.facebook.com/Blackmemorabiliashow.
This article originally appeared in the Washington Informer.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
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Black History
Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire
Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.
By Tamara Shiloh
Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.
Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.
His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.
In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.
In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.
Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.
Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.
Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.
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