Salons at Stowe

"One step fairly taken in the right direction goes farther than any amount of agonized back-looking."

Vibrant dialogue and debate in an intimate setting.

Salons at Stowe is the 21st-century parlor conversation designed to inspire you to move from dialogue and debate to action on current social justice issues.

Since 2008, Salons at Stowe have become a forum for lively discussion on important contemporary topics that concerned Harriet Beecher Stowe.  A key element of each Salon is the creation of an "Inspiration to Action" agenda - a list of specific actions that can be taken to address the issue at hand. 

All Salons start at 5 PM with refreshments and conclude by 7 PM.
Salon admission is FREE thanks to our member and donors and Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Travelers Connecticut Foundation and NewAlliance Foundation.

RSVP to 860.522.9258 ext. 317 or Info@StoweCenter.org

Spring Series 2010

April 22, Stereotypes and Name Calling
We'll explore "Uncle Tom" as a racial slur and the impact and legacy of stereotyping and name-calling. 
Featured Guests:
Woody Doane, University of Hartford, Hillyer College
Davarian Baldwin, Trinity College

May 13, How History Helps Us to Understand and Better the Present
How can we use our past to better our present?  How do 19th century works of social justice, advocacy and activism apply today? 
Featured Guests:
Eugene Leach, Trinity College
Elizabeth Devine & Students Rebecca Cohen, Leah Igdalsky and Alexa DelPiano (Hall High School)

May 27, Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North (5PM - 7:30PM) 
Join documentary filmmaker Katrina Browne for a viewing and discussion of Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North.  A family confronts its slave-trading past.  The New York Times called Traces of the Trade "A far reaching personal documentary examination of the slave trade... The implications of the film are devastating."  Reservations for this Salon are required due to limited seating. 
Featured Guest:
Katrina Browne, The Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery

June 10, The Changing Media 
The media has undergone a sea of change in recent years.  Does the media reach everyone?  How do we get the information we need to understand the issues facing us?  How does technology change the face of media. 
Featured Guests:
Christine Stuart, CT News Junkie
Moraima Gutierrez, U.S. Small Business Administration

June 24, Teaching Acceptance 
Name calling, stereotyping and bullying: Can classrooms address these issues?  How are conflicts resolved to nip these problems before they become dangerous?  What is our hope for the future? 
Featured Guests:
Leigh Cogle, West Hartford Police Department, Community Relations Officer
Eileen Hurst, Central Connecticut State University Center for Public Policy and Social Research

Summer Series 2010

July 8, Volunteer Vacations
What will you do on your summer vacation?  Today, many people decide to give back and contribute to the improvement of society.  What are the options? 
Featured Guests:
Michael J. Brett, Habitat for Humanity
Brett Farley/Gina DeVivo Brassay, University of Connecticut Community Outreach
Austyn Wilde

July 22, Creativity & Change
Harriet Beecher Stowe used her gift for writing to change people's minds.  Today, dancers, poets and artists connect to their audiences to send social justice messages.
Featured Guests:
Carlos Hernandez Chavez, musician, muralist and educator
Judy Dworin, dancer
Colin Haskins, poet

Here is what recent Salon audiences had to say:

"Thank you for introducing us to such stimulating community resources."

"Great exchange - authentic, real, inspiring."

"Important issues that I'm glad are being talked about."

 

For past Salon series information see our Make a Difference page or join us on our Facebook Discussion page.