BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Stowe Center for Literary Activism - ECPv6.18.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Stowe Center for Literary Activism X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://stowecenter.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Stowe Center for Literary Activism REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T150000 DTSTAMP:20260519T191218Z CREATED:20260326T144059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T191218Z UID:10003609-1781348400-1781362800@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Nook Farm Lawn Party DESCRIPTION:Celebrate summer\, community\, and the legacy of Nook Farm at the Nook Farm Lawn Party\, a joyful outdoor gathering in Harriet’s Backyard at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism. Held as part of the 22nd Annual Connecticut Open House Day\, the event is presented in partnership with the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association and the Mark Twain House & Museum\, inviting neighbors and visitors alike to explore\, connect\, and celebrate the spirit of activism and community that has long defined this historic neighborhood. \nEnjoy an afternoon filled with lawn games\, crafts\, and hands-on activities for all ages\, along with complimentary food and opportunities to meet and learn from local social justice organizations tabling throughout the space. Guests can also take advantage of free station tours inside both the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the Mark Twain House\, offering a chance to experience two of Connecticut’s most important literary landmarks. \nEach year\, Connecticut Open House Day falls near the birthdays of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Josiah Henson\, giving us a meaningful opportunity to celebrate their enduring legacies and the powerful connections between literature\, freedom\, and social change. This year’s gathering is especially meaningful as we also honor the 150th anniversary of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer\, alongside Harriet’s 215th birthday and Josiah’s 237th—marking a powerful convergence of literary and activist histories. \nAs Connecticut looks ahead to America 250\, this celebration offers a vibrant and community-centered way to begin commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary—grounded in the stories\, voices\, and activism that have shaped American history and continue to inspire its future. \nBring your family\, invite a friend\, and join us for an afternoon of community\, history\, and celebration in the heart of Nook Farm. \nThis project is supported by funding from the Community Investment Fund 2030 (Round 5)\, administered by the State of Connecticut. URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/nook-farm-lawn-party/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Gardens and Grounds ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nook-Farm-Lawn-Party-scaled-e1774535978256.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Twain House and Museum":MAILTO:info@marktwainhouse.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T193000 DTSTAMP:20260507T134019Z CREATED:20260402T163814Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T134019Z UID:10003610-1779300000-1779305400@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Hot for Beecher DESCRIPTION:Let’s spice up history class. 🔥 \nJoin the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for Hot for Beecher\, a lively interview-style program where scholarship meets serious heat. In this special installment\, Dr. Allison Speicher sits down with guest scholars Susan Campbell and Beth Burgess for a conversation that turns up the temperature—complete with increasingly spicy hot wings (cauliflower available for vegans!). \nTogether\, they’ll dive into the lives of John and Isabella Beecher Hooker—an abolitionist and suffragist power couple whose influence helped shape American history. \nCome for the history\, stay for the heat\, and discover the personalities behind one of America’s most compelling literary families.\nPlease note: this event is 21+. \n\n\n \nSusan Campbell \n\n\n \nBeth Burgess \n\n\n \nAllison Speicher \n\n\nAbout the Facilitators\nSusan Campbell is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist\, widely read columnist\, and author of Tempest-Tossed: The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker. Campbell has worked across the media landscape as an award-winning print journalist\, a regular commentator on WNPR\, and a guest on CBS’ Sunday Morning\, the BBC\, WTNH-TV\, and Face the State. \nFormer Director of Collections at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for nearly 20 years\, Beth Burgess now serves as Museum Curator for the Museum of Connecticut History. \nDr. Allison Speicher has taught at Eastern since 2014\, specializing in 19th-century American literature. She teaches American and children’s literature and works closely with Women’s and Gender Studies students. Her first book\, Schooling Readers\, examines the role fiction played in the evolution of public schooling. She is co-editor of the Country School Journal\, secretary of the Stowe Society\, and faculty advisor to Eastern’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter. URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/hot-for-beecher-2/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-02-130825.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T160000 DTSTAMP:20260427T201412Z CREATED:20260315T005604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T201412Z UID:10003479-1778932800-1778947200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:El Teteo in Harriet's Backyard DESCRIPTION:A Community Celebration at the Stowe Center \nJoin us for a teteo—a Dominican slang word for a lively party—as we close the exhibition What does it mean to be Human?\, a collaboration between artist Amanda Mendoza and researcher Gamze Ozker. \nThrough intimate and reflective works\, the exhibition explores what it means to be recognized as human within systems that determine whose rights are protected and whose are denied. Together\, Mendoza and Ozker examine how compassion and dignity are lost—and reclaimed—through struggles for human rights. \nWe invite the community to gather in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s backyard for a celebration of joy\, culture\, and community as we close the exhibition the best way we know how—by coming together. Because Harriet’s backyard is for everyone. \n\nWhat to Expect\n\nCar show featuring local enthusiasts in collaboration with Rad Stallions. \nSponsored by Xtreme Rides and Haymond Law Firm.\nMusic and dancing\nDominos and card games\nArts & crafts for all ages\nFood vendors\nLocal organizations tabling\n\nIf you are interested in displaying your car please email Miguel Santos \nThe Stowe Center Visitor Center will be open during the event\, giving visitors the chance to experience Amanda Mendoza’s exhibition What does it mean to be Human? on its final day on view. \n\nFood & Vendors\n\nLos Chamos Street Food Truck\nPika Food Truck\nRolling Roti Food Truck\n\n\nCommunity Organizations\nHartford Public Library • CT Fair Housing Center • Center for Latino Progress • Make the Road Connecticut • Sierra Club Connecticut • Hispanic Health Council • Night Fall Hartford • Lucinda’s House • Helena’s Casita \nFamilies and visitors of all ages are welcome. Registration is not required\, but recommended. URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/el-teteo-in-harriets-backyard/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:What Does it Mean to Be Human? ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20240613_103103-e1773536219852.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T190000 DTSTAMP:20251209T191306Z CREATED:20250903T172543Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T191306Z UID:10002104-1776880800-1776884400@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Yours Truly: 19th Century Letters from Our Archive DESCRIPTION:Our archive holds a wealth of fascinating correspondence\, scrapbooks\, diaries\, and other materials that offer unique perspectives into the interior lives of some of the most influential people of the 19th century. We invite our public into close contact with some of our most insightful\, curious\, enlightening\, and humorous archival holdings for monthly gatherings where we read letters from our collection. We hold letters from Frederick Douglass\, Harriet Jacobs\, William Lloyd Garrison\, and other progressive thinkers of the 19th century\, in addition of course to those written by the extensive and active Beecher family. This gathering will meet and read copies of historic letters from our archive\, with the original on display. Together\, we will work through not only 19th century handwriting (transcript will be available) but the topics\, thoughts\, emotional reactions these writers held. 19th century correspondence was both a semi-private and semi-public affair\, and letters offer a unique glimpse into the personality and interiority of individuals. We hope you’ll join Cat White\, Director of Historic Collections\, as we bring our letters out of the archives! URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/yours-truly-19th-century-letters-from-our-archive-4/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Salons at Stowe,Yours Truly ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Featured-Image-Size-for-Events-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T170000 DTSTAMP:20260331T170133Z CREATED:20260218T215955Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T170133Z UID:10003470-1776499200-1776531600@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:The 2026 Stowe Symposium: Stowe in Context & Conversation DESCRIPTION:Photo by Tobi Hollander \nJoin the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for our day-long exploration of 19th-century literature and history centered on Harriet Beecher Stowe. \nRegistration opens at 8:00 a.m. \nFeaturing keynote speaker Tiya Miles\, author of All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack\, a Black Family Keepsake. \nLocation: Trinity College\, 300 Summit St\, Hartford\, CT 06106 \nSYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW PAGE URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/symposium/ LOCATION:Trinity College\, 300 Summit St\, Hartford\, United States CATEGORIES:Stowe Symposium ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Beecher-Stowe-scaled-e1771451639857.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T193000 DTSTAMP:20260414T150751Z CREATED:20260305T214928Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T150751Z UID:10003473-1776448800-1776454200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Hot for Beecher DESCRIPTION:Let’s spice up history class. \nJoin the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for Hot for Beecher\, a lively interview-style program where scholarship meets serious heat. Director of Historic Collections Cat White and guest scholar Dr. Tess Chakkalakal will take on increasingly spicy hot wings (cauliflower available for vegans!) while answering questions about members of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s remarkable family. \nThis installment turns the spotlight on Calvin E. Stowe—Harriet Beecher Stowe’s husband\, a professor\, translator\, and unexpectedly whimsical partner whose letters reveal humor\, affection\, and intellectual partnership. \nCome for the history\, stay for the heat\, and discover the personalities behind one of America’s most influential literary families. Please note that this event is 21+. \nDr. Tess Chakkalakal \nCat White \n  \nAbout the Facilitators\nDr. Tess Chakkalakal is Professor of Africana Studies and English at Bowdoin College. She successfully campaigned for the renovation of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s residence at Bowdoin where she wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Dr. Chakkalakal is the author of Novel Bondage: Slavery\, Marriage\, and Freedom in Nineteenth-Century America (2011)\, A Matter of Complexion: The Life and Fictions of Charles W. Chesnutt (2025) among others\, and the executive producer and co-host of the award-winning podcast “Dead Writers.”  \nCat White is the Director of Historic Collections at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism.  URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/hot-for-beecher/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-09-155238.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T193000 DTSTAMP:20260309T202656Z CREATED:20260305T174342Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T202656Z UID:10003472-1775671200-1775676600@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Artist on Artist DESCRIPTION:Two artists. One conversation about art\, process\, and the times we live in. Join the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for Artists on Artists\, a candid dialogue between Amanda Mendoza and David Jackson as they reflect on their exhibitions\, creative inspirations\, and how art can challenge\, heal\, and reimagine our world. Audience members are invited to listen\, ask questions\, and engage in a dynamic conversation about the role of art in social change. \nRegister to Attend in Person                Register to Attend Virtually\n \nAbout the Artists\nAmanda Mendoza\, Artist \nDavid Jackson\, Artist \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\nDavid Jackson\nDavid C. Jackson is an active artist who combines his creative and administrative-counseling skillsets. As a fine artist\, David works predominantly in oil\, acrylic\, watercolor\, and colored pencil. As a young artist\, Jackson sold his first piece in 1995 and never looked back. He has been an art instructor and has exhibited at various institutions in the northeast\, galleries\, museums\, and private pop-ups.  \nAmanda Mendoza\nAmanda Mendoza is an artist\, muralist and curator who aims to create a legacy of advocacy\, resilience and community healing through social justice art initiatives. Amanda’s artistic philosophy is that art can do more than decorate spaces; it can heal and connect communities.   URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/artist-on-artist/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/pexels-steve-1047540-scaled-e1772732607797.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T190000 DTSTAMP:20251209T191306Z CREATED:20250903T172516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T191306Z UID:10002103-1774461600-1774465200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Yours Truly: 19th Century Letters from Our Archive DESCRIPTION:Our archive holds a wealth of fascinating correspondence\, scrapbooks\, diaries\, and other materials that offer unique perspectives into the interior lives of some of the most influential people of the 19th century. We invite our public into close contact with some of our most insightful\, curious\, enlightening\, and humorous archival holdings for monthly gatherings where we read letters from our collection. We hold letters from Frederick Douglass\, Harriet Jacobs\, William Lloyd Garrison\, and other progressive thinkers of the 19th century\, in addition of course to those written by the extensive and active Beecher family. This gathering will meet and read copies of historic letters from our archive\, with the original on display. Together\, we will work through not only 19th century handwriting (transcript will be available) but the topics\, thoughts\, emotional reactions these writers held. 19th century correspondence was both a semi-private and semi-public affair\, and letters offer a unique glimpse into the personality and interiority of individuals. We hope you’ll join Cat White\, Director of Historic Collections\, as we bring our letters out of the archives! URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/yours-truly-19th-century-letters-from-our-archive-3/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Salons at Stowe,Yours Truly ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Featured-Image-Size-for-Events-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T193000 DTSTAMP:20260211T195151Z CREATED:20260210T155303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T195151Z UID:10003469-1773856800-1773862200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:"In America\, the Law is King": Considering Thomas Paine's Common Sense at 250 DESCRIPTION:On the 250th anniversary of Common Sense\, join the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for an evening of shared reading\, conversation\, and civic reflection. \nTogether\, we will revisit Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlet\, read selected excerpts\, and explore its enduring declaration that “In America\, the Law is King.” With scholars and community leaders\, we will draw throughlines between Common Sense’s anti-monarchical message and present-day challenges to democracy—and consider what action looks like now. \n\n\nFeatured Speakers\n \nDr. Sarah Moon\nSarah Moon is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing Studies\, Rhetoric\, and Composition at Roger Williams University. Her scholarship explores community and classroom writing in performance. A playwright\, she facilitates the Coventry Playwrights Collective new play workshop and Write Your Roots\, a food-centered community writing and performance project. She holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Connecticut and an MFA in Playwriting from Brandeis University. \n \nDr. Scott Gac\nScott Gac is an author\, historian\, and teacher\, and a Professor of History and American Studies at Trinity College in Connecticut. His work on American music and social activism has appeared in Choice\, Rethinking History\, and Reviews in American History. His most recent book is Born in Blood: Violence and the Making of America (Cambridge University Press\, 2024). \n\nCommunity Reader Bios\nWe are delighted to feature leaders from Hartford-area social justice organizations as community readers. \nNorm Moghtaderi\nNorm Moghtaderi is an improvisor and actor with Sea Tea Improv in Hartford\, CT. Norm can be seen performing regularly at the Sea Tea Comedy Theater and venues across the region\, including the Mark Twain house where he portrays Twain’s literary characters for Clue mystery tours. He completed the improvisation training program at the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. Norm is a labor and housing justice advocate\, he is pro-union and anti-imperialism.  While Norm can be seen teaching improv at schools and workplaces across the state\, he is most passionate about making sure your dog is entertained. \n\n\nMadelyn Macbryde\n \nMadelyn Macbryde is an artist\, singer-songwriter\, actor\, and comedian based in Connecticut. She is a teaching artist at the Wadsworth\, Oddfellows Playhouse\, and other arts organizations. She is a member of the Coventry Playwrights and performs in their special productions. Madelyn performs regularly at the Sea Tea Comedy Theater in Hartford and occasionally at UCB in New York. In all her work she strives to promote messages of love\, liberation\, justice\, and truth.\n \n\nTianna Glass-Tripp\nTianna Glass-Tripp is a playwright\, comedic writer\, and storyteller living in Bloomfield\, CT. Along with her wife Charmagne\, she owns Gripp Productions; an artistic production company with a focus on community. In this role she has directed and produced several live shows in Greater Hartford. Additionally\, Tianna is an intuitive healer\, a cat mom\, and a karaoke powerhouse. \n  \n\nKamora Herrington\n \nKamora Herrington is an experiential educator working at the intersections of identity and community. She is the recipient of the New Haven Pride Center’s Dorothy Award\, the CT Voice Award for Advocacy\, and a 100 Women of Color Award. Her work supports individuals and organizations committed to personal and professional growth through cultural humility. \nKamora’s Cultural Corner: KCC provides both a metaphoric and physical space to learn to use the gifts and privileges of our unique and shared identities. Approaching cultural humility through a Black Queer and Afrocentric perspective we create and navigate Brave Spaces with the intention of building and supporting organic community connections.  \n\n\n \nDavid Hopkins\nDavid Hopkins is President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford. \nUrban League of Greater Hartford: Since 1964\, with a legacy rooted in fighting for equal opportunities and against the injustice of discrimination\, our programs and services have helped Hartford area residents overcome barriers to achieve their life goals.  \n\n\nSam Pudlin\n \nSam Pudlin is a founding member of the Hartford Jewish Organizing Collective. \nHartford Jewish Organizing Collective: HJOC brings together Hartford-area Jews to fight for the liberation of all people through political action\, community-building\, and religious ritual. Focused on the connection between the local and the global\, it has been a force for housing justice\, public education\, and the liberation of Palestine. Founded in 2023\, it has since grown into Hartford’s largest Jewish congregation.  URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/common-sense/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-121147.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T200000 DTSTAMP:20260303T144941Z CREATED:20260108T165722Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T144941Z UID:10003421-1773687600-1773691200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Ibram X. Kendi: Chain of Ideas DESCRIPTION:Presented in collaboration with the Mark Twain House & Museum  \nJoin us for an evening with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi\, National Book Award–winning historian and author of How to Be an Antiracist\, as he discusses his powerful new book\, Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age. \nIn Chain of Ideas\, Kendi traces how “great replacement theory” and related conspiracies have evolved over centuries — moving from fringe paranoia to mainstream political rhetoric. With clarity and insight\, he reveals how these ideas have shaped modern fears\, fueled extremist movements\, and threatened democracy itself. Blending history\, analysis\, and urgent storytelling\, Kendi challenges audiences to confront the forces undermining equality and justice — and to imagine a freer\, more democratic future. \nREGISTER HERE! \n\nABOUT THE AUTHOR\n \nIbram X. Kendi is one of America’s foremost historians and antiracist scholars. He is the founding director of the Howard University Institute for Advanced Study and the author of several acclaimed books\, including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (winner of the National Book Award) and How to Be an Antiracist. \nNamed one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world\, Kendi has received the MacArthur Fellowship and numerous other honors for his work examining racism and inequality in America and beyond. \n\nTICKETS\n$45 Bundled Ticket (Book & General Admission) \n$15 General Admission URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/ibram-x-kendi-chain-of-ideas/ LOCATION:Immanuel Congregational Church\, 10 Woodland Street\, Hartford\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Book Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ibram-X.-Kendi-Chain-of-Ideas-Main-Graphic-e1767891389950.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260307T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260307T120000 DTSTAMP:20260212T201120Z CREATED:20260206T192601Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T201120Z UID:10003424-1772877600-1772884800@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Be A Badass Arborist! DESCRIPTION:Believe it or not\, wintertime is the BEST time to prune young trees. Become a badass arborist with badass arborists!   \nJoin Hartford City Forester\, Sophia Rodbell\, and Urban Forester and PhD student at UMass Amherst\, Candace Powning\, with an introduction and hands-on experience.  \nParticipate in pruning several young trees on the Stowe Center campus\, including elms\, maples\, yellowwood\, serviceberry\, and pear. \nDetails and Guidelines:  \n\nMeet at Katherine Seymour Day House for introduction.  \nDress for the weather!  \nTools and gloves will be provided but you can bring your own. \n\nAbout the Experts!\nCandace Powning\, Urban Forester \nSophia Rodbell\, City of Hartford Forester \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\nCandace Powning\nTree Planting and Outreach Coordinator for the City of Hartford and a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. \nSophia Rodbell\nArborist and City of Hartford Forester with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Environmental Studies and biology from Roanoke College. URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/be-a-badass-arborist/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Gardens and Grounds ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5991-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T200000 DTSTAMP:20260122T224954Z CREATED:20260112T165705Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T224954Z UID:10003422-1771612200-1771617600@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Book Tours: An Evening with Clay Cane DESCRIPTION:Award-winning journalist\, writer\, radio host\, and political analyst Clay Cane will discuss his new novel Burn Down Master’s House. In the face of a political cycle that seeks to silence and erase\, Burn Down Master’s House is a rallying cry\, a reminder of the power of defiance\, and a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance. Readers will be enthralled by Cane’s immersive storytelling as he tackles themes of race\, class\, sexuality\, power\, and freedom.  \nRegister to Attend in Person                Register to Attend Virtually\n \nAbout the Facilitators\nClay Cane\, Author \nNachum Levitan\, Moderator \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\nClay Cane\nCane is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist\, radio host\, and political analyst. More than 3 million listeners tune into The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM each week\, his commentary is heard on television networks such as ABC\, MSNBC\, FOX and CNN\, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post\, CNN.com\, and BET. He is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult\, Live Through This\, and Burn Down Master’s House. A graduate of Rutgers University\, Phi Beta Kappa\, with a B.A. in English and African American Studies\, he lives outside of New York City. \nNachum Levitan \nNachum Levitan is the Programs and Visitor Center Coordinator at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism. He holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Rochester. URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/book-tours-an-evening-with-clay-cane/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Book Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Reading-for-change-Events-image.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260214T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260214T170000 DTSTAMP:20260122T210916Z CREATED:20251030T171755Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T210916Z UID:10002155-1771077600-1771088400@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:All That Makes Life Bright DESCRIPTION:On a quest to make a better life for themselves and their families\, three activists connect with people and artifacts on this plane and the next. Join us as we look at letters\, spirit journals\, and funerary jewelry in this year’s All That Makes Life Bright. Sip wine\, eat chocolate\, engage in 19th century Valentine and view objects from the collections. \nBefore the tour begins\, guests are invited to:🍷 Sip wine and savor chocolate in a Valentine’s Day ambiance💌 Explore letters from Harriet Jacobs and Isabella Beecher Hooker📜 Read Harriet Jacob’s gold embossed letter\n📃 Read Harriet Stowe’s letter of support for Reverend Strother\n🪶 Read Isabella Beecher Hooker’s letter of astonishment at her daughter’s reaction to suffrage💫 View mourning jewelry🖋 Victorian valentines \nAt 3:30 & 4:00 PM\, the experience deepens as guests step into the historic home for an exclusive Spirits Tour\, uncovering the power of spiritualism to transform a struggle for freedom and equal rights. \nThis is a one-night-only event blending history\, intrigue\, and the allure of love on this plane and the next.  \n❤️ Space is limited — reserve your spot now! URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/all-that-makes-life-bright/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Spirits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled-design-53.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T193000 DTSTAMP:20260202T034231Z CREATED:20260112T172156Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T034231Z UID:10003423-1770832800-1770838200@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Spirits of Resistance DESCRIPTION:Raise a glass to the rebels of the past! Join us for Spirits of Resistance\, a-one-of-a kind winter evening where radical history\, ghost stories\, and great drinks come together.  \nSet in the spirit (and spirits) of 19th-century resistance\, this interactive storytelling experience dives into how Spiritualism became a powerful tool for women’s activism and Black liberation. You’ll explore real historical artifacts\, hold primary documents\, and meet trailblazers like Harriet Wilson—a Black entrepreneur\, novelist\, and celebrated spirit medium who defied every rule of her time.   \nWhether you’re here for the tea or the tipple (you get both!) this isn’t your typical history talk. You’ll sip on complimentary wine and enjoy tea service\, all while learning how marginalized voices channeled the beyond to speak truth to power.  \nCome curious. Leave a little haunted–and totally inspired.  URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/spirits-of-resistance/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled-design-49.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T190000 DTSTAMP:20251209T191306Z CREATED:20250903T172328Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T191306Z UID:10002102-1769623200-1769626800@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Yours Truly: 19th Century Letters from Our Archive DESCRIPTION:Our archive holds a wealth of fascinating correspondence\, scrapbooks\, diaries\, and other materials that offer unique perspectives into the interior lives of some of the most influential people of the 19th century. We invite our public into close contact with some of our most insightful\, curious\, enlightening\, and humorous archival holdings for monthly gatherings where we read letters from our collection. We hold letters from Frederick Douglass\, Harriet Jacobs\, William Lloyd Garrison\, and other progressive thinkers of the 19th century\, in addition of course to those written by the extensive and active Beecher family. This gathering will meet and read copies of historic letters from our archive\, with the original on display. Together\, we will work through not only 19th century handwriting (transcript will be available) but the topics\, thoughts\, emotional reactions these writers held. 19th century correspondence was both a semi-private and semi-public affair\, and letters offer a unique glimpse into the personality and interiority of individuals. We hope you’ll join Cat White\, Director of Historic Collections\, as we bring our letters out of the archives! URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/yours-truly-19th-century-letters-from-our-archive-2/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:Salons at Stowe,Yours Truly ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Featured-Image-Size-for-Events-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T193000 DTSTAMP:20261102T171106Z CREATED:20261102T171106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261102T171106Z UID:10002162-1765562400-1765567800@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:What does it mean to be Human? -Exhibit opening DESCRIPTION:Join the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for the opening of What does it mean to be Human?\, a new exhibition by artist Amanda Mendoza in collaboration with researcher Gamze Ozker. \nThrough intimate and reflective works\, Mendoza examines what it means to be seen as human within systems that determine whose rights are protected and whose are denied. Partnering with Ozker\, the exhibition uses art to explore how compassion and dignity are lost—and reclaimed—through struggles for human rights. \nProgram Highlights: \n\nRemarks from Amanda Mendoza\, and Gamze Ozker\, and Erika Slocumb\nCommunity discussion circle in the gallery\nLight refreshments\n\nAbout the Artist & Researcher: \n\n\nAmanda MendozaArtist \n\n\nGamze OzkerResearcher \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEXHIBITION OVERVEIW PAGE URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/opening-exhibit/ LOCATION:Stowe Center for Literary Activism\, 77 Forest Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:What Does it Mean to Be Human? ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Untitled-document-1-1-e1763498510924.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T193000 DTSTAMP:20261102T171105Z CREATED:20261102T171105Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261102T171105Z UID:10002121-1763746200-1763753400@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Train of Thought: A Closing Conversation DESCRIPTION:Join us for a closing conversation with David Jackson for his exhibition Revolutionary [RE]Imagining. \n\nFree and open to the public\n77 Forest St\, Hartford; The Gallery for Literary Activism | Zoom\n\n5:30 – 6:00 PM\, Gallery opens\n6:00 – 6:30 PM\, Q&A with David and Erika (streaming on Zoom\, recorded)\n6:30 – 7:00 PM\, Audience Q&A\n7:00 – 7:30 PM\, Gallery open for guests to walk-through \n\nRegister to Attend in Person\nRegister to Attend Virtually URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/train-of-thought-a-closing-conversation/ LOCATION:CT CATEGORIES:General Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled-design-48.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T193000 DTSTAMP:20261102T171106Z CREATED:20261102T171106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261102T171106Z UID:10002122-1763661600-1763667000@stowecenter.org SUMMARY:Borders of Belonging: A Conversation on Humanity and Human Rights DESCRIPTION:Join us for an open discussion with human rights educators and activists as we explore the question\, “What does it mean to be human?” \nThis thought-provoking conversation parallels the themes of Amanda Mendoza’s upcoming solo art exhibition\, What Does It Mean to Be Human?—opening at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism on December 12th\, 2025. \nServing as a prelude to the exhibition\, this event invites participants to reflect on humanity\, belonging\, and the systems that shape our shared human experience. Refreshments will be provided! \nPlease arrive by 5:50 PM—guests should be seated by 6:00 PM so the discussion can begin promptly. \nSpeakers: \n /* Only affects this block */ .speakers-row { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; justify-content: space-between; gap: 20px; flex-wrap: nowrap; text-align: center; } /* Neutralize WP alignment floats inside this row */ .speakers-row .wp-caption\, .speakers-row [class*=”align”]\, .speakers-row img { float: none !important; margin: 0 !important; } /* Make each speaker take equal space and stack their image + text */ .speakers-row > * { flex: 1 1 0; } \n\nAmanda Mendoza\, Artist \nEvan Turiano\, Ph.D.\, Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Law at Trinity College \n \nTeresa Quintana\, Housing Equity Organizer at Make the Road CT\n\nParking Information \nPark in the spots directly facing the building or on either side of the row of spaces along the chain-link fence. \nEXHIBITION OVERVEIW PAGE URL:https://stowecenter.org/event/borders-of-belonging/ LOCATION:224 EcoSpace\, 224 Farmington Ave\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States CATEGORIES:What Does it Mean to Be Human? ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://stowecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Borders-of-Belonging-Real-Estate-Flyer-e1761759221914.png ORGANIZER;CN="Stowe Center for Literary Activism":MAILTO:info@stowecenter.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR