MOUNT VERNON – Southern black women operating as spies, scouts, couriers and guides were willing and able to offer enormous support to Union military personnel and operations. With a deep devotion to a war they pushed to be one of emancipation, and often relying upon Southern prejudices that ignored the intelligence of black women, they were able to provide invaluable covert assistance to the Union military. Harriet Tubman was the best known of these women.

This coming Thursday, April 25, Dr. Annette Jefferson, an amazing speaker will once again grace the Chautauqua stage and bring to life the contributions of not only Tubman but many of the black women few of us knew about but were just as important.
The program will be held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs and will be helped to their seats by Elixir Presents volunteers if needed.

Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with music of the era presented by local group FolkTails. After the presentation by Annette, she will open up the program to questions from the audience.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
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For more information about this and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

​President and Mrs. Lincoln to Visit Chautauqua Series
MOUNT VERNON - At the time of the inauguration in 1861, Abraham and Mary Lincoln had been married for 18 years. Lincoln described them as “the long and the short of it.” He was six foot four; she was five foot four. He never completely shed his frontier upbringing. She was raised in a world of manners and could be very formal. Each was extremely moody. He was often withdrawn; she could be explosive. Both were ambitious and devoted to each other and their family.
On Thursday April 11, the Chautauqua Series is happy to announce an evening with Abraham and Mary Lincoln, sharing stories about their wildly different childhoods, family and life in the White House. Note: this is a schedule change from the originally scheduled Fay Templeton program due to health issues. We will try to re-schedule when possible. Robert and Barbara Brugler were available on April 11 to bring the Lincolns back to Mount Vernon, presenting an evening unlike any they have performed for our audiences in the past.
Opening the program will be local favorite Timothy Noble, a gifted pianist, vocalist and all around performer.
The Chautauqua Series brings first person living history programs to Knox County on a donation basis and are the only monthly year round Chautauqua series in the United States. We are able to provide the series on a donation basis because of the support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel.
The event is located in the conference room in the lower floor of the Grand Hotel at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon and is easily accessible to those with special needs such as wheelchairs, walkers, strollers or guide dogs. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts with opening act Timothy Noble at 7 PM.
For more information on this and future programs visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “gentle reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.