Past: Hidden Figures: African Americans, Eclipses and Astronomy

Missouri State Parks is sponsoring a free event at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville. You are invited to attend the Hidden Figures: African Americans, eclipses and astronomy program on August 21.

The program will feature stories about historic African Americans who were impacted by solar eclipses, such as Nat Turner. We will also discuss early African American astronomers, such as Benjamin Banneker, who successfully predicted a solar eclipse. We will also discuss the role astronomy played in helping African American slaves find their way north to freedom. Slavery in southeast Missouri will be discussed and we will find out if any slaves in the region "followed the Drinking Gourd" north to freedom.

Following the program, we will view the total solar eclipse in the east field. Please bring a pair of eclipse viewing glasses or eclipse viewer for safe viewing. Please bring a lawn chair for seating.