How to resolve AdBlock issue? BALLSTON SPA — Melissa Howell, a Solomon Northup descendant, is loaning the prestigious Scripter Award, presented on behalf of Solomon Northup by the University of Southern California, to the Saratoga County History Center’s Brookside Museum, along with other memorabilia.
The Award honors Northup and recognizes the work of screenwriter John Ridley, who wrote the script for the 2013 movie 12 Years a Slave. Ms. Howell will present the award along with a talk entitled “Embracing the Legacy of Solomon Northup” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. The award and memorabilia display are new additions to the “Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750-1950” exhibit.
Howell, a great, great, great-granddaughter of Northrup, will share a glimpse of how she has embraced her family history through various travels, projects, and endeavors. She was born and raised in Seneca Falls, and in 2014 established The Solomon Northup Legacy Organization in support of her ancestor’s life story and its significance in the fabric of the Nation’s history.
The “Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750-1950” is an extensive exhibit that explores the diverse life of African Americans in Saratoga County from the colonial period to the mid-20th century. The Brookside Museum is open Thursdays to Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and is located at 6 Charlton St. in Ballston Spa. Admission is free of charge and donations are welcome. Visit: brooksidemuseum.org.
