Gerrit Smith Family of Peterboro NY

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Peter Smith: Furs, Land, and Anguish examines Peter Smith, the land speculator partner of John Jacob Astor, who dealt with Native Americans to establish a land sales business in the late 1700s in upstate New York. Although selfish and avaricious, Smith laid the financial foundation for the future human rights work of the Gerrit and Ann Smith family.  

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, The Era and the Issues is a survey of social life in 19th Century America with emphasis placed on racism and sexism. Black people and women were thought to be inferior mentally and physically. In collaboration with the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State preparing for the commemoration of the Abolition of Enslavement in New York State in 2027, this session will address the 2025 theme of Enslavement in New York State. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Gerrit Smith: The Practical Dreamer examines Gerrit’s benevolence and philanthropy in his perusal of human rights movements. Gerrit operated the land sales business started by Peter in order to have the resources to lubricate social change in the direction of equitable treatment of all persons. Smith believed his wealth was “a divine gift to give away.”

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Ann Carroll Fitzhugh Smith: Support Services Agent scrutinizes Ann’s support of Gerrit’s human rights activism while acting as a “First Lady” in their home that served as a group therapy center for human rights activists.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025  Elizabeth Smith Miller: Quiet Advocate examines Elizabeth’s relationship with her cousin Elizabeth Cady (Stanton) and their work together for equal rights for women. For Miller the issues of dress reform, suffrage, and education for young women were primary, especially in collaboration with her daughter Anne Fitzhugh Miller.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Greene Smith: Rebel and Outdoorsman illustrates Greene’s life as an example of the clash in the mid-1800s between religion and science - the sacred and secular. After achieving national recognition as an ornithologist and sportsman, Greene died at an early age.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Underground Railroad is an examination of the moral significance of the UGRR as a process of achieving freedom, including reasons for escaping, the risks incurred, and the efficacy of the attempt to escape. This session will lead into Peterboro Juneteenth 2025 programming the following day.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Cousins of Reform: Smith and Stanton Gerrit Smith and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were cousins and the two most powerful leaders of the two most important social movements for human rights in American history. Their close loving bond did not deter their strong political debates.

Dr. Dann, professor emeritus Morrisville State College 1966 -1999, served in the U.S. Navy, received an M.A. in Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, and a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Syracuse University. He is a founder of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark, and is treasurer of the Peterboro Area Museum.

The public is invited to partake of one, a few, or all the sessions.

Admission is by donation by cash, check, or credit card.

Peterboro Academy Certificates will be available in July.

For more information:  info@gerritsmith.org and 315.308.1890