Follow the Drinking Gourd

Original 1830's Slave Cabin

A Note from the Membership Coordinator~

Dear Friends of Sotterley,

The St. Mary's County Library and Historic Sotterley, Inc. have partnered to bring the performance, "Grandpa Joe and the Drinking Gourd" to St. Mary's County. Members of Accokeek Foundation's award-winning Museum Theater will present the play on Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m. in the Barn at Sotterley. The play is a special adaptation by Anika Prather of "Follow the Drinking Gourd".

Grandpa Joe and the Drinking Gourd to be performed at Historic Sotterley
This event is part of the One Maryland One Book state-wide read sponsored by the public libraries and Maryland's Humanities Council. This year's book, "Song Yet Sung" by James McBride is a gripping tale of escaped slaves and slave catchers. These slaves on the run used codes to communicate with one another. The play is about one of those codes, music, and its role in the Underground Railroad.

Excerpts from "Song Yet Sung" will be read by Janice Walthour. The United States Colored Troops Memorial Monument Committee will present a quick presentation to commemorate the event. Tours of the newly restored slave cabin will follow the program.

The program is free and open to the public.