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In this program students will have their minds activated as they are taken back in time on a journey to see how social injustices effected not only adults, but children and how children played a role ... Read more

In this program students will have their minds activated as they are taken back in time on a journey to see how social injustices effected not only adults, but children and how children played a role in the decisions that effected their future. They will also discover what it is like to go from the most familiar to the unknown as they observe this one woman show. During this program the students will take a 45 minute journey back in time with Tammy Denease as she portrays Sarah Margu, a child of the Amistad. This performance will take place on the lower level of the Old State House in the Education Room. Students will be exposed to Margu's experience of being taken from her home and all that is most familiar to her and suddenly being surrounded by what she thought was an urban legend. Margu's journey is one of determination. A determination to regain her freedom while learning to love and accept herself, as she adapts to a different world, a different culture. A world that was not accepting of the color of her skin or her gender. A world that did not share her values and principles. After being kidnapped from her village Margu was put aboard the slave ship, the Tecora then sold onto the Amistad schooner. After the rebellion aboard the Amistad, Margu along with 52 others from her village would spend 9 weeks at sea that would lead to the court case at the Old State House in Hartford, CT. During the initial trial Margu is a frightened young girl who does not speak the language of her captives. She understands that she is far from home, away from her family. As she walks into the court room she is surrounded by strange white men that she thought would do her harm. She could only be comforted by Mr. Lewis Tappan, a well known abolitionist of the time, who gave her an apple then held her hand as they walked to where she would learn of her fate. After the 45 minute presentation, there will be 15 minutes of questions and answer with the students. During the q & a, students will have an opportunity to vocalize what was learned during their journey back into time and/or to ask for clarification on things not understood. To further activate the minds of the students there will be a 30 minute tour of the court room, led by a docent of the OSH, where the historical legal case took place. On this tour the students will experience first hand what it was like to be Margu. The docent will continue to answer any questions the students may have. Teachers are expected to monitor students and their behavior during the performance and tour of the Old State House Museum.