| Sunday May 19, 2024 10:00 AM - Sunday May 19, 2024 12:00 PM | Free |
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Event
GT BARRINGTON | DuBois Black History Bike Ride
Join Berkshire Bike Path Council as we explore some of the Black history of Great Barrington. We will start at Mason Library, 10 AM. This will be a stop and go tour as we visit important sites downtown and further out.
The ride will start in front of Mason Library, 231 Main Street, Great Barrington.
If arriving by car, parking should be available in the library lot and along Dresser Ave. Since this is a Sunday, you can also park in the Post Office lots and Bank lots across the way.
Stop 1.
We will start in town, stopping at W.E.B. DuBois birthplace, noting River Garden Park dedicated in his name.
Stop 2.
After that, we ride down Rt 7, turning R on Rt 23 (~2 mi) to go to the W.E.B. DuBois National Historic Site.
Stop 3.
We then continue riding up Sekonk Cross Rd (~2 mi) to Round Hill Rd (~1 mi) both paved- to Five Acres on Alford Rd.
Stop 4.
We then climb Alford Rd past Simons Rock to Taconic St and pass Brightside (~2 mi), home of the Russell family who provided Willie with Greek books for his studies.
Stop 5.
We return to Rt 7, making a L at light, then stop to turn L onto Castle St. Across the street on the lawn of the Great Barrington Town Hall was the Courthouse where Elizabeth Freeman sued for liberty.
Stop 6.
We can then bike through alley at the back to Railroad St, but then will need to walk on the sidewalk to the alley beside #20 to see the Railroad Street Youth Project mural.
Stop 7.
Traveling through the parking lots and back streets, we eventually reach Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church
Link to ridewithgps route and cue sheet
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46450252
Additional information can be found at:
DuBois Center of Great Barrington
https://duboiscentergb.org/about-the-center/
W.E.B. DuBois National Historic Site
Maternal family home where DuBois lived for a time as a young boy
https://www.duboisnhs.org/
Five Acres summer home of James Weldon Johnson, a musician, lawyer, educator and NAACP secretary summered and wrote poetry at Riverbank. He cowrote Left Every Voice and Sing also referred to as the Black National Anthem.
https://www.jamesweldonjohnson.org/
Great Barrington Court House
Elizabeth Mum Bett Freeman was enslaved in Sheffield. Her successful suit for liberty was heard here August 21, 1781. It set the stage for the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts.
Mum Betts Trail https://www.africanamericantrail.org/plan-your-trip/trail-guide-brochures/mum-bets-trail/
Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church
Center of the Rosseter Stree/Elm Court neighborhood home to many Black families. The church was the spiritual, cultural, and political heart of Black life in the region for nearly 130 years.
https://www.duboisfreedomcenter.org/theclintonchurch-clintonamezionchurch-theduboisfreedomcenter
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This event is a part of Berkshire Bike Month 2024.
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Use the "Remind Me" section to the right where you can save the event to your personal calendar or set up a reminder email so you don't miss out!
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LocationMason Public Library (View)
231 Main Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
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Contact
Accessibility
This ride is recommended for cyclists with road riding experience.
Remind Me
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