Book Discussion Highlights Exhibit on Racial Separation at Stowe Center

The free Nook Farm Book Talks series presents a bonus summer event, Them: A Novel by Nathan McCall, on Thursday, Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center.  The discussion will be led by Michelle McFarland from the Hartford Public Library.  Participants may arrive at 4:30 pm for free admission to the exhibit, THEM: Images of Separation, on loan from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia.

In McCall’s story, ‘Them’ refers to both the black residents of an inner-city Atlanta community and the young white families who buy properties and move in, changing the character of the neighborhood.  Through characters that capture the country’s struggles with the realities of gentrification, the book tackles the complex interplay of class, race and economics in urban America. 

Both the book and the Stowe Center’s exhibit show how groups of people can be marginalized for being “different”.  While McCall’s book focuses on the separation of blacks and whites, THEM: Images of Separation shows artifacts that target Asian-Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Jews, poor whites, women, and people marked as “different” because of how they look, their body type or sexual orientation. 

According to Katherine Kane, Stowe Center Executive Director, the book discussion and exhibit are designed to call attention to intolerance, promote discussion and encourage action. 

“We use Stowe’s story to inspire positive change,” says Kane.  “We hope to encourage tolerance and promote social justice.”

The evening’s schedule:4:30 – 5:30       View exhibit and enjoy refreshments in the Katharine Day House5:30 – 7:00       Discussion in the air conditioned Visitor CenterNote that the exhibit is appropriate for ages 13+.  Registration is suggested:  Call 860-522-9258 ext. 317 or e-mail Info@StoweCenter.org.  

The book is available for purchase in the Stowe Visitor Center.  Free, secure parking is available at the Stowe Center , 77 Forest St., Hartford, and The Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., parking lots.

The Nook Farm Book Talks is a collaboration between the Stowe Center and The Mark Twain House & Museum, made possible in part by the Connecticut Humanities Council.  Nook Farm Book Talks continue Sept. 13 with a discussion of The Help by Katherine Stockett at the Stowe Center.