Sunday, September 27, 2020
(left to right) Courtney Rae Kasper, ERHC Visitor Experience Manager, and Stephanie DeVito, Executive Director, Auburn Downtown BID & Operations Manager, Equal Rights Heritage Center (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Secretary)
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, the Equal Rights Heritage Center was the recipient of a surprise gift presented by the Board of the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace.
At a small private outdoors ceremony governed by COVID regulations on distancing and facial coverings, Stephanie DeVito, Executive Director, Auburn Downtown BID & Operations Manager, Equal Rights Heritage Center and Courtney Kasper, ERHC Visitor Experience Manager accepted a specially designed handmade wooden flag to commemorate the dynamic impact the ERHC continues to have on the overall community and out of area visitors to the site.
The flag, designed by Michael Brennan, CEO of FLX Flags, formerly known as Flags R Us, is made from solid pine wood and is 3’ high, 5’ wide and weighs 28 pounds. It contains an engraved silhouette of Harriet Tubman that is based on a Lisa Brennan photo of the statue that adorns the ERHC’s plaza. The 48 stars, which were hand carved, recognize the number of states that were part of the USA when Tubman passed away in 1913. The lantern and its glow represent her many rescues of enslaved people traveling in the dark with just the moonlight and stars as a guide.
(Left to Right) Jack Hardy, HTCJP board member, Vijay Mital, HTCJP founding board member, Gilda Brower, HTCJP vice-chair, Courtney Kasper, ERHC Visitor Experience Manager, bill berry, jr., HTCJP chair, Stephanie DeVito, Executive Director, Auburn Downtown BID & Operations Manager, Equal Rights Heritage Center, Dr. Lucien Lombardo, HTCJP board member, Carol Colvin, HTCJP board member, Michael Brennan, CEO/FLX Flags, Abby Bonilla, and Grace Bonilla, FLX Flags, Dr. Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson, HTCJP board member, Kathleen Barnard, HTCJP treasurer, Steve Webster, HTCJP board member and Linda Webster. (photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Secretary)
The gift was made possible through a donation to cover the production costs provided by Gilda Brower, a founding member of the HTCJP and its current vice-chair. Based on an idea initially proposed by Mr. Brennan in the early summer, subsequent design discussions finalized the concept and Brower’s funding sealed the arrangements.
Stephanie DeVito, executive director of the Auburn Downtown BID and operations manager of the ERHC stated, “Our continued collaboration and partnership with the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace board is immeasurable. The gracious gift honoring “Harriet’s Hometown” is immensely appreciated. A welcomed and beautiful addition to the collection of history and culture that we proudly exhibit will shine a light onto the City of Auburn and our community. Your generous gift that was bestowed to us by Gilda Brower will continue to live on for future generations. It is with great pleasure that we will display, honor, educate and continue sharing the great story of Harriet.”
Bill Berry, Jr., chair of the HTCJP was joined by the majority of Board members including Vijay Mital, another founding member and Dr. Lucien Lombardo, the past HTCJP chair. Berry applauded Ms. Brower’s generosity; thanked DeVito and Kasper for their leadership, and recognized Auburn City government for its proactive and strategic activities to further enrich the life of residents as City Councilor Jimmy Giannettino looked on.
Kasper echoed similar sentiments, “Thank you to the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace Board for this special surprise. We are honored by the Board’s recognition of our continued efforts to promote Auburn’s rich heritage and shared mission in honoring ‘Harriet’s Hometown’ as a most welcoming city. And a special thank you to Gilda Brower for her kind donation that made the creation of this custom piece possible. We graciously accept this thoughtful gift and are excited to share it with our community and visitors!”
There has been no decision yet as to where the flag will be placed.
The Equal Rights Heritage Center and Taste NY Market are open to the public Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m. Winter hours will begin November 1 and then the hours of operation will be Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All visitors are required to wear a mask while in the facility. For information about visiting Auburn and its many historic and cultural attractions please go to visitauburnny.com