NEWS RELEASE: The Perry Historians is pleased to announce the release of their latest publication. "African Americans in Perry County (Pennsylvania): 1820-1925", by Janet Taylor. A book signing and presentation will be held at the Harry Lenig Library, the home of The Perry Historians on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hoverter Archives. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation. The book is the result of research performed by Ms. Taylor funded by a Preserve America Grant, administered under the Preserving African American Heritage in Pennsylvania program of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The PHMC grants are financed by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The grant was written by the Historians' secretary Jean Tuzinski, who also assisted in the editing of the book. Editor, Jerry Clouse, also provided an introduction to the book. Ms. Taylor's book is broken down by topical chapters that chronicle the history of African Americans within the bounds of the county from the early settlement era through the county's formation and the Civil War period to the post World War I era. The end point of the study corresponds with the First Great Migration when millions of rural African Americans poured into the industrial centers of the North, and locally Blacks migrated to larger towns such as Carlisle and Harrisburg where there were better job opportunities as well as more social and religious organizations open to them. The previous historiography of the county's African American history is generally one of meagerness, and Ms. Taylor's book helps to fill that void. Much of her information was gleaned from documents housed in The Perry Historians' library holdings. The book is broken into topical chapters, which deal with broad areas such as slavery and the Underground Railroad, but it also gives detailed accounts of particular county incidents, which define the dichotomy of feelings within the county's populace. There was always that tension between pro-slavery supporters and those who favored its abolition. Likewise, in the post-Civil War period some county folk supported the growth of African American autonomy while others joined the Ku Klux Klan in an effort to thwart their freedom. One of the book's chapters focuses on Little Washington, a small hamlet just northwest of Millerstown. George Washington appears to have been the first African American to own land in this area, but it is Reverend Joshua Thomas who gave the village the distinction of having its own religious institution, an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. "Brother Joshua" traveled throughout the state preaching the gospel and soliciting funds for the church at Little Washington. Ms. Taylor, a resident of Carlisle, is the widow of the late Lt. Col. William E. Taylor. They wanted to retire close to a military institution and be close to their children and grandchildren who reside in Perry County. Whether she lived in Europe or in the United States, Taylor has always had an interest in history. She is currently researching historic roads and log structures in Perry County. The products of this Preserve America Grant also included a PowerPoint presentation, designed and edited by Jean Tuzinski, and a driving tour produced by Steve Metzger. The Perry Historians will be donating copies of the book to the four public libraries and the four high school libraries within Perry County. The book has been printed in both soft-bound and hard-bound editions. Soft-bound copies are $15.00 each and the hard-bound copies are $30.00 each. If you wish them to be mailed to you, please include an additional $9.00 per book. To purchase a copy or copies, please drop by The Perry Historians / Harry Lenig Library on days when we are open to the public or you can mail your request to purchase. along with payment to The Perry Historians. The Perry Historians / Harry Lenig Library's physical address is: 763 Dix Hill Rd., New Bloomfield, Perry Co., PA 17068. Directions: The Harry Lenig Library is located at the intersection of Rte. 34 and Dix Hill Rd. From New Bloomfield - on right hand side - 2 miles from square on Rte. 34 North From Newport - on left hand side - 4 miles from Newport on Rte. 34 South The Perry Historans / Harry Lenig Library's mailing address is: PO Box 73, Newport, PA. 17074-0073 The Perry Historians website: www.ThePerryHistorians.org