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

Registration now closed

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
Mon, Dec 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Dec 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Dec 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Dec 19 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Dec 20 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Dec 21 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Dec 22 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

Sat, Dec 21, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Pick up a kit at the Barrett Branch beginning December 2.

Sat, Dec 21, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
Registration is now closed

Thu, Dec 26, 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.

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Music by "Oh Susannah!" and a countdown to the "Noon Year" balloon & confetti drop. This event is best for ages 2+, but all are welcome.

Cancelled
Tue, Dec 31, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Barrett Library has a volunteer available on Tuesdays to help with computer and technologies use. Appointments are available at 5 PM and 6 PM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.