Margaret Garner Bus Tour

Sponsored by the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in collaboration with Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison.

Meet at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House for this unique experience. Guided by historians and academics, we will travel into Kentucky to learn about Margaret Garner, the real-life inspiration for the Toni Morrison novel, Beloved.

Stops include:
• Richwood Presbyterian Church, which Margaret Garner joined in 1855. Located immediately next door to Maplewood Farm, where Garner was enslaved, this church is the site where Margaret, Robert, their children, and his parents gathered on the night of 28 January 1856 for their escape into Cincinnati. Church leaders will share Margaret Garner's baptismal records and other materials documenting her history with this congregation and in this community.
• Boone County Public Library, to see their Archive and History Center public space. Librarians will guide us through their archival records documenting Freedom Seekers and exploring African American history of the Northern Kentucky region.
• Margaret Garner historical marker and mural in downtown Covington. See historic and artistic representations of her story and discuss the aftermath of the incident.
• The Harriet Beecher Stowe House to discuss final thoughts and create your own personal action plan regarding your new knowledge.

Planning and presentation team:
• Christina Hartlieb, Executive Director, Harriet Beecher Stowe House
• Cheli Reutter, PhD, Associate Professor of English, University of Cincinnati
• Zinnia Stewart, Community Engagement Coordinator, Harriet Beecher Stowe House
• Jennifer Williams, Historic Preservation Officer, City of Newport
• Kris Yohe, PhD, Professor of English, Northern Kentucky University