Black History at Poplar Hill in this Week’s City Minute

By Victoria Idoni

City of Salisbury Communications Director

SALISBURY, Md. – It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time to Walk with a Doc!

Starting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 7, join TidalHealth in Unity Square for a free, family-friendly walking program designed to bring our community together — one step at a time. These walks are open to everyone and offer a simple way to improve your health, learn from medical experts, and connect with neighbors. It will be moved indoors anytime the weather is extreme, which will most likely be the case this weekend with ice still being present. 

Also this Saturday, head over to the Rommel Center in Downtown Salisbury from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for “Sip & Shine,” a Galentine’s Jewelry Bar experience. The event costs $45 to attend, and includes wine, cheese, and the opportunity to design your own charm bracelet, earrings, or bag charm. Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot here. 

This weekend also marks the second Sunday of the month, which means their will be a new installment of the Poplar Hill America250 Lecture Series at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 8. These events are free and open to all ages. It will be a different program every month, with each lecture lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Come out and join us!

This month’s lecture is titled, “Fighting for Freedom: Black Crafts-people and the Pursuit of Independence.” This presentation is in conjunction with an exhibit from the National D-A-R Museum from last year. The exhibit sought to embrace the stories of all those who pursued independence by centering on the lives and experiences of Black craftspeople and artisans from the 18th and 19th centuries. It highlights the creations, contributions, and legacies of African Americans as they fought for freedom from the earliest calls for American independence and beyond. Fighting for Freedom spans the war years of the Revolution through the present, as African Americans have sought to pursue agency and liberty through craft. The underpinning idea of African American craft as a catalyst for freedom-seeking displays itself in a host of ways in this exhibition, encompassing furniture, metals, ceramics, textiles, art, tools, and personal accessories.