HAITI AND THE CIVIL WAR

History can make for strange bedfellows. Such is case in the revolution in Haiti against French colonial rule and it’s impact on abolitionists here in the United States during the Civil War. This will be the subject of a series of two classes sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning with Marvin Jones as the lecturer – “Haiti, the Civil War and the Revolution.”. The classes will take place Tuesday, September 24th at 11:00 AM and Wednesday, September 25th at 11:00 AM in the Baltimore /room of Clubhouse 1. The fee when registering with E&R is $15.00.

 In 1976, Marvin decided to document one of the tallest forts in the world, the 13-story, 450 foot long Citadelle Henry or Citadelle Laferiere in northern Haiti.  The Citadelle and 30-some other forts was Haiti's resolve to remain an independent nation although all its neighbors, the enslaving French, British, Spanish and Americans, were horrified at Haiti's existence. It would be almost sixty years before many Americans would see a freedom like it.  Over twelve years, he documented the Citadelle from its neglected state to its near-restoration in 1989.  That time was for UNESCO. Almost two years ago, he revisited the still well-preserved fort and will return this December. What he learned during this period is the basis of his presentations here in Leisure World.