Stowe Center for Literary Activism

Spirits at Stowe
2025-11-15 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Stowe Center for Literary Activism, 77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT, 06106, United States
Spirits at Stowe considers spiritualism as a tool of resistance among radicals and reformers of the 19th century.
Through contact with spirits, radical women claimed authority to speak the unspeakable, especially the right to full control and autonomy over their own bodies and families. Throughout the tour, we will delve into the historic, social, and political context of the 19th century and explore the role of spiritualism in the lives of reformers, suffragists, and Black activists, including Harriet Jacobs, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Wilson.
During the tour, the house is “set” to reflect a Spiritualist setting. It takes place later in the evening and is by (electric) candlelight. Participants on the tour will observe and engage with materials and primary sources related to spiritualism, including a planchette, spiritualist newspapers, seance accounts, and letter excerpts from leading 19th century activists.
Spirits at Stowe deals with themes such as violence, sexuality, and reproductive rights.It is not recommended for children under 13.

What is spiritualism?
Broadly speaking, spiritualism is the belief that an individual’s awareness persists after death and can be contacted by the living. During Spirits at Stowe, we discuss the histories of multiple spiritualist traditions in U.S. history, and how these beliefs helped inspire, nourish, and connect politically radical individuals and communities – paying special attention to abolitionism, women’s rights, labor rights, and the intersection among them.

2025 Stowe Prize Registration & Sponsorship
2025-09-17 | Immanuel Congregational Church, 10 Woodland Street, Hartford, 06105, United States
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
STOWE PRIZE CELEBRATION The Mark Twain House & Museum and Immanuel Congregational Church
The Stowe Center for Literary Activism is delighted to announce Professor Percival Everett as the 2025 Stowe Prize for Literary Activism winner for his book James: A Novel (Doubleday, 2024).
Event Schedule 5:00 – 6:00 pm Sponsor Reception with Professor Percival Everett | Hal Holbrook Hall, The Mark Twain House & Museum 5:30 – 6:30 pm Free Social Justice Fair | Fellowship Hall, Immanuel Congregational Church 6:30 – 8:00 pm Free Public Program | The Sanctuary, Immanuel Congregational Church

The public program celebrating James: A Novel by Percival Everett on September 17, 2025 will be livestreamed through the Stowe Center’s Facebook page and Instagram page as well as Immanuel Congregational Church’s YouTube channel from 6:30-8:00 PM EST.Busy that night? A recording will be made available on the Stowe Center’s YouTube channel after the event.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
LEGACY SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS BBE Becky Latimer & Alan Kreczko

BRONZE SPONSORS American Justice ProjectThe Goodwin Hotel Katherine D. Kane & John Kelsey Pat Kenny & Ann Foxen Kenny Liberty BankJudith Lohman & David Reik Robinson+Cole

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS SPONSORSA.M. Communications Solutions, Inc. Anonymous (2) Barnes Crosskey Architects, LLC Drs. Booker T. & Elena L. DeVaughnDuBaldo Security Systems, Inc.Susan & Ned Dunn, Jr.Fiducient Advisors Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP | FMLChristiana N. GianopulosCharles HarvellDr. Joan D. HedrickJennyfer A. Holmes Dave Jenkins Dr. Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar & Jeanna Grimes Ogbar Pue, Chick, Leibowitz, & Blezard LLC River Bend Bookshop Shannon Wegele & Ben Wenograd Smith Brothers Insurance Anne Stanback & Charlotte Kinlock Trinity College UAW Local 2110

MEDIA SPONSORS

INTRODUCING THE STOWE PRIZE EVENT SERIES
We are delighted to share that the work of Mr. Everett, and all our Stowe Prize winners, will now be a part of the work we do all year round. In September 2024, the Stowe Center launched a new Stowe Prize event series that explores the topic of the selected book from September of that year until the following Stowe Prize celebration. Supporters of the 2025 Stowe Prize will be recognized as sponsors of that series in addition to the reception and public program.
