On October 14-15, students from Stony Brook University's Living Learning Community, part of the Socially Just Seawolves (SJS) program, visited the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro, NY. The visit aimed to deepen their understanding of abolition history and its connection to current social justice initiatives.
The museum staff prepared for the visit by aligning the experience with SJS's mission to address social, economic, and political inequalities. This preparation ensured that the narratives shared were relevant to the students' educational goals.
Brittany Platin, assistant director of college housing for the Living Learning Community at Stony Brook University (SBU), discussed two key aspects of the visit. Students explored historic buildings where abolition work occurred, experiencing a profound sense of history. The Hall of Fame Gallery further engaged them with displays celebrating key figures in the abolitionist movement.
A significant moment was touring the Gerrit Smith Estate. Gerrit Smith was a prominent abolitionist who used his wealth to support the cause. Students visited his original office and reflected on historic meetings held there with figures like Frederick Douglass. This experience highlighted individual dedication and collaboration's impact on achieving meaningful change.
Platin expressed hope that students would be inspired by this message: "It is the collaborative work of individuals that helps work towards equity in our community," she noted, stressing continued activism and unity in addressing social inequalities.