Released June 1, 2017
Coffin State Historic Site to host first public program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paige Southerland, 317.234.5078, [email protected]
FOUNTAIN CITY — The Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site will kick off the summer by hosting Indianapolis-based artist and book illustrator Michele Wood on Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wood will give a lecture that incorporates the history of the Levi Coffin House, stories of the Underground Railroad and songs from her book Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song. Wood is the winner of several prestigious book awards, including the American Book Award.
Wood currently serves as an artist-in-residence with Christian Theology Seminary. Her project with CTS will connect Hoosiers to their state’s history through lectures and video projects. Michele recently visited the 1839 Coffin House in Fountain City, Ind. to create a short YouTube video of how she connected with the history of the Underground Railroad.
She will expand on her project during a lecture series on June 17, July 22 and August 12, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site Interpretive Center.
“Having Michele on site for our first public program as a full-time state historic site is a great fit,” said Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site manager Joanna Hahn. “Michele is an Indiana artist who, like many visitors to the Coffin home, connects with the story and conviction of Levi and Catharine Coffin. We are excited that she will be the first to use our new Interpretive Center to host her program.”
The lecture will take place on demand as guests visit the Interpretive Center and is included in general site admission.
The program is included in site admission. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60 and above) and $5 for children.
For more information, please contact Joanna Hahn at 765.847.1691 or [email protected].
# # #
The Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site is located on U.S. 27 in Fountain City. Part of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, the eight-room home was known as the Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad, helping shelter hundreds of Freedom Seekers. The home has been listed as one of the nation’s top 25 must-see Historic Sites and features an Interpretive Center that explores the Coffin story and Indiana’s role in the Underground Railroad. For more information, call 765.847.1691 or visit indianamuseum.org/levicoffin.
