Secret Agents of the Underground Railroad
In Person
In partnership with the Chemistry Department and the Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion, with funding from the Barbara J Stahl Fellow Grant, DIIF Grant and the Gregory J Grappone Humanities Institute, the Community Cinema Series highlights Diversity and Inclusion in Stem with this free screening.
Secret Agents of the Underground Railroad is a revealing scientific exploration of how a Niagara Falls hotel, The Cataract House, became the focal point for a 19th century North American Black Resistance movement. Host Anthony Morgan meets a team of archaeologists who are working to recover parts of the hotel's foundation. In doing so, they unearth stories about how the hotel's head waiter, John Morrison, and his seemingly innocuous wait staff covertly orchestrated Freedom Seekers' escapes to freedom. What’s true of every archaeological dig is that below the surface, there is always more than meets the eye; and the dig at the once-renowned Cataract House is no exception
Following the screening, an engaging panel Q&A, moderated by Professor Mary Kate Donais will feature key members of the documentary team.
Panel guests:
- Saladin Allah, Director of Community Engagement at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
- Dr. Douglas Perrelli, Director of Archaeological Survey, SUNY Buffalo