Civil War Round Table of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Evans bring Harriet Tubman stories to life
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PARKERSBURG -- The Civil War Round Table of the Mid-Ohio Valley held its regular bi-monthly meeting Thursday night.
The meeting was held at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History at 137 Ann St. in Parkersburg.
It started with several updates of surrounding area Civil War Round Tables, such as the group in Zanesville holding its fourth annual event at the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 30.
Civil War Round Table of the MOV President Leight Murray briefly spoke about the literature they provided in the lobby before the meeting. The literature provided knowledge about the Round Table's trip to South Carolina on Nov. 8-12 of this year. Previous Vice-President Scott Britton spoke more about the itinerary of the South Carolina Heart of the Rebellion Field Trip. During the field trip, they will explore Revolutionary and Civil War period sites in the Carolinas such as Fort Sumter and Beaufort, S.C., Salisbury, N.C., and many more.
Sergeant at Arms Jerrie Berentz introduced the presentation "General Moses: Stories from the Life of Harriet Tubman" presented by Ilene Evans. Evans provided a first-person interpretation of Tubman's life and achievements. Starting with talking about Tubman's early life, Evans sang spirituals and songs of inspiration to show the passion of Tubman.
Evans as Tubman also interacted with the audience through audience participation. Through a telephone-like game, Tubman explained how one within the Underground Railroad would have to be fast and be able to keep secrets well. Trading directions such as "Follow the drinking gourd" and "Watch for five lost lambs" were important in one's participation to escape safely through the Underground Railroad. Evans as Tubman encouraged the audience in singing, dancing, and clapping with her to the spiritual "All night, All day, Angels watching over me".
Ending the presentation, Evans as Tubman asked if anyone had questions for her. People asked her about how many trips she took on the Underground Railroad and what her birth name was.
"People say we took about 19 trips, but it was more like 13 trips. We were limited with the time of year and weather," Evans said as Tubman. "My birth name was Minty. Araminta 'Minty' Ross. How'd you know that?! Who told you that?!"
Evans released her character and asked if anyone had questions for her out of character. Someone asked her when she started doing these presentations.
"We started Voices from the Earth in 1991," said Evans. "But I started doing my research in 1989."
Another audience member stood up and said that she wished that every student in the nation could hear Evans' presentation, which resulted in Evans getting a several-minute standing ovation from the whole audience.
"Harriet Tubman didn't get to write her own story, others had to write her story for her. I try to stay as true to her words as I can. You're the only person who knows your story, write your own story," Evans advised the audience, which was filled with people of all ages. "She knew her truth. People try to confuse you about your own truth. Listen and know your truth."
The program was made possible through a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council's History Alive! Program.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com