The story of an local African American man who was sold into slavery in the mid 19th century will be told Sunday afternoon at the Pember Museum.
“Rescued from Slavery: The Story of Solomon Northup,” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The one-hour program, led by author and historian David Fiske, will include a lecture and slide presentation on Northup.
Northup, who owned a farm in Hebron and lived in Fort Edward and Kingsbury, was born a free man but in 1841 was lured from home and sold into slavery. For the next 12 years Northup was a slave on various plantations in Louisiana.
Eventually Northup enlisted the help of a Canadian who helped spread word of his plight and with the help of New York Governor Washington Hunt, Northup was freed on Jan. 3, 1853 and returned to his family in New York.
Shortly after regaining his freedom, Northup wrote “12 Years a Slave.” He also lectured on behalf of the abolitionist movement.
Northup’s memoir was adapted and produced as the 2013 film, 12 Years a Slave, and won the academy award for best picture in 2014.
Fiske is co-author of “Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave.” He lives in Ballston Spa.