Get Ticket

The Troutbeck Symposium is a student-led collaboration uncovering our local history through student authored documentaries, art exhibitions and conversation.

In continuation of the unique legacy of hosting creative thinkers and activists, it is with great pride that Troutbeck hosts the Troutbeck Symposium on April 28th and 29th – the culmination of a nearly year-long project involving over 150 local students from regional public, independent, middle and high schools.

After months of investigation, students will present their historical research related to Troutbeck and the significant role the Spingarn Family played in the Civil Rights Movement and the Harlem Renaissance; revealing stories of famous and lesser-known activists, renewing significant but untold stories and narratives from this region all relating to our BIPOC community.

Visiting speakers and special guests will share share their reflections and work throughout the symposium. We are proud to welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author Dr. David Blight, Artist Nona Faustine, Silas Munro of Polymode Studio and author Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries.

Friday, April 29th Schedule

• 9AM - Welcome & Introduction
• 9:30AM - Student Presentations
• 10-10:20 - Talk + Q&A w/ Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries
• 10:30-10:50AM - Talk + Q&A w/ Silas Munro, Plymode Studio
• 11:00AM - Student Presentation
• 11:30AM - Artist Nona Faustine in conversation with curator Douglas Turner
• 12PM - Student Presentations
• 12:30 PM - Presentation Mike Morand, Communications Director, Beinecke Library of Rare Books & Manuscripts, Yale
• 1PM - Student Presentations
• 1:30 PM - Executive Director Bill Jeffway, Dutchess County Historical Society "Lessons from Troutbeck as place"
• 2-3PM - Student Presentation
• 3PM - Closing remarks

Support

With the support and leadership of key donors and partners, Troutbeck is underwriting significant portions of this two-day event. Please consider joining us in supporting this broad-based and inclusive community event. For more information on how to help Troutbeck and our partners underwrite this event, browse through the presentation below.

Special thanks and gratitude to our partners & donors:

The National Parks Service, Salisbury Bank, Yale University - The Beinecke Library for Rare Books & Manuscripts, The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, The Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area, Jones Inclusive, The Wassaic Project, Parisi Management Group, Burlington Construction & Champalimaud Design.

For more information on Troutbeck’s history click here.

Photo Credit: Conference at "Camp Spingarn," Amenia, N.Y., August 24-26, 1916, from James Weldon Johnson Collection in the Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book, and Manuscript Library.