For Valerie Petty-Boyer, history is a way of life. It can be told in books, heralded in song and recounted in personal diaries. Ms. Boyer will use all of these historical resources in her portrayal of Charlotte Forten Grimke, a nineteenth century African-American woman born in 1837 who taught white and black children in Philadelphia during and after the Civil War. She will present this portrayal at the Friday, February 21 meeting of The Lewes Historical Society at St. Peter's Parish Hall on Mulberry Street between Second and Third Sts. in Lewes. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

According to Ms. Boyer, Charlotte Forten Grimke was a descendant of slaves who was born into a wealthy family which had been free for four generations. She grew up in Philadelphia where her father owned and operated a successful sail-making business. "I came across Charlotte quite by accident," says Boyer, a history teacher at Central Middle School in Dover. "I was teaching a black history course which mentioned her. A student asked who she was and I replied that I really didn't know much about her, or her role in history." That query began a historical quest which revealed "a story of a strong and devoted woman" and which eventually led to Ms. Boyer's first portrayal of Charlotte Forten Grimke in 1998.

Boyer used a copy of Charlotte Grimke's personal diary, begun around 1857, as the foundation for her program. "My research showed that she was a dedicated teacher, writer and musician who waned to help mankind, especially black Americans. Her father instilled his abolitionist beliefs in her and she was not afraid to assert her opinions," said Boyer.

The story of Charlotte Forten Grimke will be told in monologue and song, according to Boyer. She will dress as a lady of the nineteenth century and sing Civil War songs and spirituals. She has presented several reenactment programs throughout the State. Most recently she performed popular songs of the Civil War at Winterthur Museum, in a program to honor the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King during ceremonies commemorating his birth.

Ms. Boyer's program is sponsored by the Delaware Humanities Forum and is part of The Lewes Historical Society's tribute in honor of African-American History Month. Her first Civil War era portrayal, based on the life of her great, great grandmother, was featured in a 1997 News Journal article. It was this article that prompted the Delaware Humanities Forum to engage Ms. Boyer as a regular speaker.

The public is cordially invited to attend the presentation. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. For more information contact The Lewes Historical Society at 645-7670.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society