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Image for event: Let's Talk Books: "Snow-Storm in August"

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Let's Talk Books: "Snow-Storm in August"

by Jefferson Morley

2024-06-10 19:00:00 2024-06-10 20:00:00 America/New_York Let's Talk Books: "Snow-Storm in August" Join us for an in-person meeting at the Barrett Branch to discuss the tense atmosphere in the city of Washington in 1835and the city's first race riot that ensued. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Monday, June 10
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-06-10 19:00:00 2024-06-10 20:00:00 America/New_York Let's Talk Books: "Snow-Storm in August" Join us for an in-person meeting at the Barrett Branch to discuss the tense atmosphere in the city of Washington in 1835and the city's first race riot that ensued. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Join us for an in-person meeting at the Barrett Branch to discuss the tense atmosphere in the city of Washington in 1835and the city's first race riot that ensued.

About "Snow-Storm in August" from the publisher Penguin Random House: "In 1835, the city of Washington simmered with racial tension as newly freed African Americans from the South poured in, outnumbering slaves for the first time. Among the enslaved was nineteen-year-old Arthur Bowen, who stumbled home drunkenly one night, picked up an axe, and threatened his owner, respected socialite Anna Thornton. Despite no blood being shed, Bowen was eventually arrested and tried for attempted murder by district attorney Francis Scott Key, but not before news of the incident spread like wildfire. Within days Washington’s first race riot exploded as whites, fearing a slave rebellion, attacked the property of free blacks. One of their victims was gregarious former slave and successful restaurateur Beverly Snow, who became the target of the mob’s rage. With "Snow-Storm in August," Jefferson Morley delivers readers into an unknown chapter in history with an absorbing account of this uniquely American battle for justice."

Review from Publishers Weekly:  “Salon Washington correspondent Jefferson Morley boldly and elegantly recreates a moment in time when free black businessmen mingled with their white counterparts while proponents of slavery and abolitionists struggled to co-exist in the nation’s bustling capital. . . . A crackling good tale of the deep impact of race and politics on a young nation struggling to create its identity.”

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library

jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708

Hours
We're closed Wednesday June 19 due to Juneteenth - CLOSED
Mon, Jun 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 19 Closed
(Juneteenth - CLOSED)
Thu, Jun 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 21 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 22 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 23 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: 10A/B, 11C
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Mon, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
First Floor
Celebrate your favorite June holiday with this simple paper folding craft. Ages 6+

Tue, Jun 18, 11:00am - 11:30am
First Floor
Songs, games, movement and more for ages 0-23 months

Tue, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Second Floor
Teens, ages 12-18, will try to uncover what caused a zombie outbreak in the DMV.

Thu, Jun 20, All day
From Thursday to Saturday, stop into the Barrett Branch to add your sustainable, zero-waste, community-building idea to our wall of ideas. Check out and jot down what others share too!

Thu, Jun 20, 11:00am - 11:45am
First Floor
Join our friends Willie Bob and Boogie Bennie, also known as Rocknoceros! Favorite classic kids songs and Rocknoceros's own catchy tunes. Ages 2+.

Thu, Jun 20, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Fri, Jun 21, All day
From Thursday to Saturday, stop into the Barrett Branch to add your sustainable, zero-waste, community-building idea to our wall of ideas. Check out and jot down what others share too!

Sat, Jun 22, All day
From Thursday to Saturday, stop into the Barrett Branch to add your sustainable, zero-waste, community-building idea to our wall of ideas. Check out and jot down what others share too!

Mon, Jun 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Stories and other activities at historic Carlyle House in Old Town. (121 N Fairfax Street). Ages 4-8

Tue, Jun 25, 11:00am - 11:30am
First Floor
Songs, games, movement and more for ages 0-23 months

Wed, Jun 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
First Floor
Duplo train Legos and more--come and play! Recommended for ages 5+.

Thu, Jun 27, 11:00am - 11:45am
Outdoors
It's time to play on the lawn outside the Children's Room. Ages 2+

Thu, Jun 27, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 2-4 pm on the second floor. Accommodation is for 12 players so first come first served if more than 12.

Thu, Jun 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Meet and learn about some amazing reptiles with My Reptile Guys. Ages 6+