Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
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
We're closed Monday October 14 due to Indigenous Peoples' Day
Mon, Oct 14 Closed
(Indigenous Peoples' Day )
Tue, Oct 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Oct 18 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Oct 19 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 20 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

Tue, Oct 15, 11:00am - 11:45am
First Floor
Join Miss Lisa for songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles! Fun that's just right for ages 0-23 months

Tue, Oct 15, 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.

Wed, Oct 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
First Floor
Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, Oct 17, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Join Miss Lisa for stories, songs, movement and more fun just right for ages 2+

Thu, Oct 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Sat, Oct 19, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full

Sun, Oct 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 13-18.

Tue, Oct 22, 11:00am - 11:45am
First Floor
Join Miss Lisa for songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles! Fun that's just right for ages 0-23 months

Tue, Oct 22, 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.

Tue, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Join us for a talk with local poet, Miles Liss who will discuss the process of getting published and read from his newest collection "Some Inconvenient Poems." Copies will be available for sale. 

Wed, Oct 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
First Floor
Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, Oct 24, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Join Miss Lisa for stories, songs, movement and more fun just right for ages 2+

Thu, Oct 24, 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.