The John Hay Estate at The Fells has received a grant from New Hampshire Humanities to present “Abby Hutchinson’s Sweet Freedom Songs.”  This program will be presented on Wednesday, February 1, at 7:00pm, online via Zoom. 

Popular songs are a wonderful window for looking into social movements of America's past, as shown by singer/actress Deborah Anne Goss in her program Abby Hutchinson’s Sweet Freedom Songs. Deborah performs as New Hampshire-born abolitionist, suffragist, and singer Abby Hutchinson, who became famous singing anti-slavery songs with her brothers as ‘The Hutchinson Family Singers’ during the 1840's. There is a direct connection between the abolition movement and the campaign for woman suffrage, as the stories and songs in this lively program illustrate. There will be opportunities for audience participation, and words for some of the song choruses will be provided. 

This program is free and open to the public. Please register for this virtual program by calling our office at 603-763-4789 x3 or by email info@thefells.org. 

New Hampshire Humanities nurtures the joy of learning and inspires community engagement by bringing life-enhancing ideas from the humanities to the people of New Hampshire.  They connect people with ideas.  Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org. 

Deborah Anne Goss appears as Abby Hutchinson Patton, recalling mid-19th-century U.S. and New Hampshire history and performing rousing anthems, heartfelt ballads, and humorous ditties sung during anti-slavery and early women's rights struggles. In the 1840s and 1850s the Hutchinson Family Singers strongly influenced the opinions of the era with their popular songs promoting healthy living and social justice-most prominently the abolition of slavery. Participants are encouraged to join in the singing on several choruses or read a poem or political diatribe of the time.