Join us for an eye-opening lecture with local historian Alvin Corbett as he unravels the harrowing narrative of African Americans during the Civil War through the lens of his Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Jack Sherrod. Underpinning the immense suffering endured, Corbett will reveal startling discoveries about a Civil War Union strategy responsible for widespread death and devastation among the population. This compelling presentation will also highlight Jack Sherrod's courageous transition from slavery to becoming a United States Colored Troop (USTC) soldier, detailing his personal injuries, battles for medical treatment, and the relentless fight for his pension—supported by Sherrod’s own health records. This lecture is not just a recount of historical events; it’s a profound exploration of resilience, survival, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of the past and its enduring impact on our present!

Mr. Alvin Q. Corbett is an archivist, historian, and researcher of African American history. Mr. Corbett is the son of Civil Rights leader, Fannie Corbett, and a descendant of United States Colored Troops Civil War veteran, Jack Sherrod. He is a former Vice President of the board for the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County, NJ, and a visiting scholar with the Rutgers University History Department. Corbett holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s from Stevens Institute of Technology.

This program is presented in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine’s Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War Medicine exhibit, on display at the Grundy Library from January 27-March 8, 2025.

Registration is required. Secure your spot at grundylibrary.org.

Questions? Please call the Grundy Library at 215.788.7891.

This program is offered by Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library in support of the PA Forward | Pennsylvania Libraries initiative. Libraries are key to powering progress and elevating the quality of life in PA by fueling the types of knowledge essential to success: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy.