Distinguished returning guests, Dr. Hassan Kwame Jeffries, Associate Professor of History, Ohio State University, Dr. Christina Proenza-Coles, Lecturer American Studies Department, University of Virginia, Michael Morand, Director of Community Engagement, and Curator Melissa Barton, both from Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, will be joined by Dr. Kendra Field, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, and Dr. Kerri Greenidge, Associate Professor of History, both at Tufts University and co-founders of the African American Trail Project and the Du Bois Forum.

Wednesday, May 1 — 6pm

Troutbeck and the Du Bois Forum will co-host a dedication ceremony for a new historical marker commemorating the Amenia Conferences of 1916 and 1933—two pivotal moments for the NAACP, strengthening the organization leading up to the Civil Rights Movement—both held at Troutbeck. This momentous dedication is thanks to a student group from Arlington High School in Dutchess County that was awarded a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for a historical marker to commemorate the 1916 and 1933 Amenia Conferences. This will be the second historical marker to be placed at Troutbeck—the first commemorates Troutbeck’s first proprietor, Myron Benton and his frequent guests, Naturalists Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and John Burroughs.

Thursday, May 2

Students from 16 schools will gather in Troutbeck’s Ballroom to present their research findings and learn from others, interspersed with conversations led by our distinguished guests. Students will be streaming the presentations live via their Instagram — @Coloringourpast

Friday, May 3

Troutbeck will host a roundtable discussion for donors with presentations from students and words from our distinguished guests.

If you are interested in supporting this work by becoming a donor, please reach out to

To read more about the 2023 Troutbeck Symposium, please visit here.

BACKGROUND — The Troutbeck Symposium was born out of a collaborative 2020 project between Salisbury School history teacher Rhonan Mokriski and documentary film maker, Ben Willis. Working within the limitations of Covid-19 lockdown, the teachers guided students to create a series of short documentaries that explored under-told African American history in our area. For the next school year, the project expanded by partnering with Troutbeck, inviting more schools to participate, a total of nine, culminating in a multi-day meeting at Troutbeck showcasing the students’ work for the first Troutbeck Symposium. In 2023, fourteen schools participated.

2024 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS — Salisbury School, The Hotchkiss School, Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Northwest Community College, Explorations Charter School, Salisbury Central School, Sharon Center School, Canaan Public School, Cornwall Consolidated Public School, Lee Kellog School, Marvelwood School, Washington Montessori School, Suffield Academy, Arlington High School, Webutuck High School

COMMUNITY PARTNERS — Amenia Historical Society, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University, Cornwall Historical Society, Draper Foundation, The Du Bois Forum, The Du Bois Freedom Center, Dutchess County Historical Society, Litchfield Historical Society, The Norfolk Historical Society, Northwest CT Community Foundation, Salisbury Association, Sharon Historical Society, Sheffield Historical Society, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, Wassaic Project

All Photos courtesy of Joshua Simpson