Area Mid-Continent Library branches recognize Black History Month

Black History events at the library

Area branches of the Mid-Continent Public Library will offer four free presentations in February in recognition of Black History Month.

For children and families, the Blue Ridge Branch, 9253 Blue Ridge Blvd., will host Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic Presents:  Louis Armstrong for a look at the life and accomplishments of celebrated jazz musician Louis Armstrong at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 10.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, the branch will present Cotton, Rag Dolls and the Underground Railroad about the Kansas City area’s role in helping slaves escape to freedom via the underground railroad and the importance rag dolls played in the journey.  Children may then make their own rag dolls.

For adults, the Red Bridge Branch, 11140 Locust in the Red Bridge Shopping Center, will host First to Serve about the participation of African-American Union soldiers in the Civil War at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 13.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, the branch will host a presentation on the life story of famed scientist and educator George Washington Carver by a park ranger from the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, MO. The national monument is the boyhood home of Carver and was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943. It was the first national monument dedicated to a black American and first to a non-president The presentation will be at the Red Bridge Branch and three other branches that evening.

Registration is required, and persons may register at mymcpl.org/BlackHistory.