Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

The Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site is hosting a series of programs as part of Indiana Humanities One State/One Story program. Hoosiers are invited to engage deeply with a book as part of a statewide conversation tied to our current times. In 2024, Dr. Tiya Miles’ book “All That She Carried” will be featured.

“All That She Carried” chronicles Miles’ work in interpreting an object passed down through an enslaved Black family. Known as “Ashley’s Sack,” this object was created by an enslaved woman known as Rose facing the sale of her daughter Ashley. “All That She Carried” focuses on understanding why Rose felt it was important to give her daughter such an item, and how it was viewed by later generations of the family after emancipation.

The Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site will tie “All That She Carried” to Wayne County, Indiana’s own stories of freedom-seekers pursuing a life of freedom in the years before emancipation. Participants can also dive into preserving their own family stories and objects.

Program registration is required and available by clicking below or calling the site at 765.847.1691. Participants must register for each program in this three-program series. Participants may register for one, two, or all three programs.

ALL THAT SHE CARRIED BOOK DISCUSSION
Quaker Welcome Center
Historic Newport Meetinghouse
303 US HWY 27 North, Fountain City, IN

Join Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program, as she leads a moderated discussion on the book “All That She Carried” by Tiya Miles. Participants will delve into Miles’ goals of the book – looking at a historic object from many angles. An object that represents a history that for generations has been neglected. Participants will examine Miles’ use of storytelling while discussing questions that posit the role objects and the place they have in our nation’s story. After the discussion, participants are invited to enjoy a guided tour of the Coffin home and see how the Levi and Catharine Coffin site uses a historic house full of objects to tell the story of the Underground Railroad.

Copies of “All That She Carried” will be provided to each registered participant. Registration must be complete by Oct. 19 to allow time for books to be shipped to each participant. Register by clicking below or calling the site at 765.847.1691.

Price: $5/person; 25% discount for members

Learn more about the other two programs in this series:

PRESERVING FAMILY HISTORY WORKSHOP

WILLIAM BUSH’S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM PRESENTATION

These programs have been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

View our cancellation policies.