Saturday, February 15, 9am-2pm, Columbus Metropolitan Library [Shepard Branch], 850 N. Nelson Rd.

Join us to celebrate the history of Shepard and its surrounding neighborhoods! We’ll have activities and programs for all ages, throughout the day.

9:30-10:30am: Underground Railroad in Central Ohio

Join us for a program showcasing central Ohioans’ role in the Underground Railroad and how to find homes that may have been stops on it.

10:45-11:45am: Teakwood Heights’ Historic Legacy: A Conversation

On November 15, 2024, the nearby Teakwood Heights Historic District was placed on the National Historic register.

Moderated by preservationist Nancy Recchie, a panel of local residents, activists and community leaders will share about the neighborhood’s connection to local Black history, their memories of the neighborhood past and present, and how they are preserving and sharing their history.

2pm: Happy Birthday Aminah!

Join us at 2pm to sing Happy Birthday to longtime Shepard resident and artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (February 18, 1940-May 22, 2015) and enjoy a sweet treat! Aminah’s art was often inspired by the African concept of Sankofa, which means understanding the past in order to go forward. Honor Aminah by creating a work of art that represents your neighborhood and community.

10am-2pm: Underground Railroad in Central Ohio Exhibit

View this exhibit to learn more about Central Ohio’s role in the Underground Railroad and some of the probable Underground Railroad sites in Columbus.

Create an Aminah Robinson-inspired work of art

The library will provide supplies to create a work of art representing your neighborhood and/or community, inspired by Aminah Robinson and her mixed-media RagGonNons. You can take your masterpiece home, or we’ll have space to display them in the library.

Record an Oral History

Record an interview and share your memories with future generations. Our Local History & Genealogy team will preserve select interviews on My History, the library’s digital history collection.

Scan or Donate Historic Items

Our Local History and Genealogy team will be here to scan photos and documents to be added to our digital collection My History and accept donations for our archives.

Hosted by Columbus Metropolitan Library.