USA lectures scheduled Feb. 17-18; Feb. 27 at Cultural Center

USA lectures scheduled Feb. 17-18 & Feb. 27 at Cultural Center
Discoveries of Island’s ancient canoe trail & last slave ship are topics
The University of South Alabama’s Institute for Learning in
Retirement will present a two part lecture titled Exploring Gulf
Shores’ Ancient Native American Canoe Trail, on Feb. 17-18
from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Cultural Center, located
at 19470 Oak Road West (County Road 6) The fee for the class
is $35.
Also, as part of the USA Distinguished Lecture Series, Stacye
Hathorn, State Archaeologist with the Alabama Historical Commission
and Dr. Joe’l Lewis Billingsly, a USA associate professor
and a descendent of Africatown settler Cudjo Lewis, will
speak about the last known U.S. slave ship to arrive in the
United States during a free lecture on Thursday, February 27
from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Cultural Center Auditorium.
There is no fee to attend, but please register for notification
of any changes.
As featured on the latest cover of National Geographic, the
Clotilda was the last known U.S. slave ship to arrive in the
United States, bringing 160 African captives to Mobile in 1860.
Because the import of slaves had been outlawed, the ship was
burned to hide evidence. After emancipation, many of the former
captives remained in the area and settled Africatown,
which continues today. This presentation will discuss the
years-long quest to find the remains of the ship, explore the
strength, ingenuity, and heroism of the survivors and the meaning
of finding the remnants the ship for their descendants.
To register for these events, go online to USA Gulf Coast
Campus or call the USA Center for Continuing Education at
251-460-7200.
Pictured: The Clotilda on the cover of the Feb. 2020 National
Geographic.