Solomon Northup Scripter Award at the Brookside Museum
Melissa Howell, a Solomon Northup descendant, is loaning the prestigious Scripter Award, presented on behalf of Solomon Northup by the University of Southern California, to the Saratoga County History Center’s Brookside Museum, along with other memorabilia. The Award honors Northup and recognizes the work of screenwriter John Ridley, who wrote the script for the 2013 movie 12 Years a Slave. Ms. Howell will present the award along with a talk entitled “Embracing the Legacy of Solomon Northup” on Saturday, July 9 at 2 pm at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. The award and memorabilia display are new additions to the “Black Experiences in Saratoga county, 1750-1950” exhibit.
Solomon Northrup and Chiwetel Ejiofor photo – portrait of Northrup (left) and Ejiofor (right) portraying Northrup in the movie 12 Years a Slave
Solomon Northup was an African-American free citizen born at Schroon, New York on July 10, 1807. In March 1841, Northup was 33 years old when he was introduced to two men who claimed they ran a traveling circus and lured him to New York City and Washington, D.C. to play violin for a lucrative payout. A turn of catastrophic events found him chained in a slave pen within view of the U.S. Capitol. His identity- altered. His life- interrupted. He was shipped south to New Orleans and sold as a chattel by a slave trader. He was enslaved for 11 years, 8 months, and 26 days on the Red River Bayou of Louisiana.
The fate of Solomon Northup would, at last, take a turn toward regained freedom when he was rescued in January 1853 by childhood friend and lawyer Henry B. Northup. Homeward bound for Glens Falls, NY, he was reunited with his wife and children. In less than six months, Solomon Northup’s slave narrative Twelve Years A Slave was published in London, England in June, then at Auburn, NY in July by Derby & Miller. His detailed and personal account of his life before and during slavery has become a bestselling work, acclaimed by such contemporaries as Frederick Douglas and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Yet, much of his life story after 1857 is unknown and his death unaccounted for.
Melissa Howell photo – Northrup descendant, presenter of Scripter Award
Melissa Howell, a great, great, great-granddaughter of Northrup, will share a glimpse of how she has embraced her family history through various travels, projects, and endeavors. Ms. Howell is the daughter of the late James and Shirley (Northrup) Howell. She was born and raised in Seneca Falls, NY. She attended Simmons College in Boston, MA, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Administration. Ms. Howell is currently a Deputy Town Clerk in Seneca Falls. In 2014, Ms. Howell established The Solomon Northup Legacy Organization in support of her ancestor’s life story and its significance in the fabric of our Nation’s history.
The “Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750-1950” is an extensive exhibit that explores the diverse life of African Americans in Saratoga County from the colonial period to the mid-twentieth century. It is a panorama of the struggles and hardships, but also stories of their persistence and success. The exhibits feature little-known events, as well as objects and memorabilia that bring to life the men and women who were often the heart and soul of Saratoga society. The Brookside Museum is open Thursdays to Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. It is located at 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Admission is free of charge and donations are welcome. Reserve your free ticket HERE.
The Saratoga County History Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse histories of Saratoga County. In addition to Brookside Museum, the History Center offers a variety of innovative, exciting, and educational programming. Please visit the website (www.brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@SaratogaCoHistory) for news and announcements.
For more information, please contact the Saratoga County History Center at 518-885-4000 or email Matt Bonk at matt@brooksidemuseum.org.
