Pocantico Hills CSD

Pocantico Middle School students enjoyed an opportunity to travel through time to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African-Americans throughout history with a recent visit to the Bethany Arts Community in nearby Ossining.

As they toured the “Black History: Eyes Wide Open” exhibit, students were introduced to several black innovative men and women who made their marks in a wide range of fields, including the culinary arts, medicine, the military and everyday life.

The exhibit shares details about their contributions and who was behind the improvement or invention.

Among the people students met were James Hemings, who accompanied Thomas Jefferson to France. It was here that Mr. Hemings learned how to cook French cuisine. Upon returning to the states, he introduced macaroni and cheese and French fries to the American diet.

Students were intrigued with the inventions of Garrett Morgan. He helped to invent a protective hood that firefighters wear. However, students were most intrigued with the hand operated traffic signal he developed, that later would become the red, yellow and green lights we use today. The signal required a person to stand in the street while they held a post, on one side it would say stop, when it was turned it said go, and when another way indicated travelers should slow down.

Students appreciated the display that showed black contributions in the military, specifically the women of the Six Triple Eight. Several students had seen the Netflix series of the same name, which told the story of the black members of the Women’s Army Corp who commanded a postal battalion who took on the onerous task of delivering mail to soldiers against significant difficulties.

Students were also introduced to Madam C.J. Walker, a woman entrepreneur who created a multi-million-dollar hair care product line. She lived in Sleepy Hollow and is considered one of this country’s first millionaires.

Then there was Lonnie Johnson. He excelled at being an aerospace engineer, but the students loved the fact that he also invented the Super Soaker.

Other parts of the exhibit highlighted the black press, the medical field and the fishing industry, led by local resident Henry Gourdine.

“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter,” is an African proverb that weaves its way through the exhibit.

Tour guide Donna James asked students why Black History Month is celebrated.

“They did important things as part of this country,” one fifth grader answered.

For fifth grader Khali S., he said his favorite part of the exhibit was the room that highlighted the food, but he appreciated the other things he learned too.

“I love how they invented things,” he said. 

“I liked learning about Madam C.J. Walker,” student Dominic W. said. “She was losing her hair and made a product to help.”

For Rose M., she appreciated that Matthew Cherry invented the tricycle.

“A lot of black people had invented a lot of things,” she said of what she learned while viewing the exhibit.