TICKET UPDATE: As of 12/8, this event is sold out and is not taking a wait list. Thank you for your interest!

Join us on Thursday, December 14 from 5 – 7pm for a reception and author talk to celebrate the release of An Uncommon Woman: The Life of Lydia Hamilton Smith by Mark Kelley. An Uncommon Woman is a biography of Lydia Hamilton Smith (1813-1884), a prominent mixed-race businesswoman in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the longtime housekeeper, life companion, and collaborator of congressman and staunch abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. In his biography of this remarkable woman, Mark Kelley reveals how Smith served the cause of abolition, managed Stevens’ household, acquired property, and crossed racialized social boundaries. LancasterHistory is honored to co-publish this exciting new book with Penn State University Press.

Mark Kelley holds a Ph.D. in journalism from Syracuse University. He worked for twenty-five years as a broadcast journalist and has taught journalism and mass communications at Goshen College, Syracuse University, the University of Maine, and the New England School of Communications. An Uncommon Woman is his fourth book. Kelley currently serves on the Scholarly Advisory Committee for the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy, a museum under development by LancasterHistory. He resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Marty.

REGISTRATION
This event will take place on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 5-7pm at LancasterHistory. A reception begins at 5pm, followed by an author talk and book signing by Mark Kelley. Copies of An Uncommon Woman will be available for purchase in LancasterHistory’s Museum Store. The event is free but advanced registration is required.

Note for Registrants: Successful registrants will receive an email confirmation with their tickets after checkout. If you do not receive an email within 5-10 minutes of checking out, please check your junk/spam folders. If you do not receive an email confirming your reservation, please contact LancasterHistory at 717.392.4633 or info@lancasterhistory.org to verify your registration.