Local historian Louise Henry gives African-American presentation

In observance of Black History Month, local historian Louise Henry spoke about her early life journey as the granddaughter of a sharecropper.

At the ARK Educational Resource Center in Laurel, Henry shared her interactive presentation Feb. 23 to an enthusiastic audience of varying ages.

There were artifacts on display as well as books documenting the lives and times of African-Americans during slavery. Henry’s collection of books and artifacts has been accumulated over the past 50 years during her extensive travel abroad and her civic community involvement.

As chair of the Sussex County NAACP chapter, Henry has fought for civil rights for many years, including marching on the capital during the civil rights movement.

She also is actively involved with the efforts to restore the Richard Allen School in Georgetown as a valuable piece of history. The school served African-American students during the time of segregated education.

Henry also serves as a member of the board of directors for the ARK Educational Resource Center, an after-school program helping students to achieve academic success.