Daniel Carlton to portray Thomas Smallwood at 2025 Juneteenth celebration

Historical reenactor Daniel Carlton portrays a formerly enslaved person at the 2021 Juneteenth celebration at Durand-Hedden.Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race are pleased to welcome back historical reenactor Daniel Carlton for this year's Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 14, at Durand-Hedden House. This year, Daniel will portray Thomas Smallwood, a formerly enslaved shoemaker and arguably the originator of the term "The Underground Railroad."

Through dramatic storytelling under the trees of Durand-Hedden, Carlton will share Smallwood's life experiences from his shoemaker shop in Canada. These stories, brought to life by Carlton, are based on Smallwood's autobiography, A Narrative of Thomas Smallwood, Coloured Man.

Between 1842 and 1844, Smallwood organized hundreds of escapes for enslaved Black servants of government employees, helping them reach Canada. Operating near the U.S. Capitol building, he also detailed these efforts in a popular abolitionist newspaper column.

About Daniel Carlton

Daniel Carlton is a theater director, playwright, actor, poet, lyricist, and storyteller. His work often brings historical figures and events to life in ways that intersect modern challenges with stories of liberation from the past. Recent credits include: Director/Playwright of the national tours of "Freedom Riders, "Keep Marching," Freedom Flight," "Memories Of Self," and many more. He is the director of "Hero," "The Boy from Troy," and "Jabari Dreams of Freedom," by Nambi E Kelley. He was a performer in "Finding North."

Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden is an annual free community event, co-hosted by Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. See our event page for complete details and for free pre-registration.

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Why are we "Raising the Roof"?

Because the time has come.

Durand-Hedden's slate roof is now over 100 years old, well past its life span. The inevitable has become urgent. This is a complicated project because of the house’s age and historic significance, and because the roof will need to be taken down to its framing for reinforcement and structural repair before a new roof can be put on.

The Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association has been planning for and saving for this project for many years, but costs exceed what the Association currently has available and increasing material costs may make the project even more expensive than originally anticipated.

Saving the roof is vital to saving the House and the treasures inside, as well as to continuing the community-building and educational programs we all cherish. Please support this effort, either through purchasing tickets for our first Raising the Roof! fundraiser on the evening of May 16 or by making a donation directly to Durand-Hedden.

May events explore art and landscape

In May, Durand-Hedden House & Garden will host two exciting programs in conjunction with the opening of our newest exhibit, Olmsted and the Hudson River School: Art in Landscape.

On Friday, May 16, a Raising the Roof fundraiser will offer visitors a preview of this exhibit with a guided tour led by art historian Janet Mandel. Guests will also enjoy refreshments and music performed by pianist and vocalist Emma Phillips. Please consider supporting this important fundraiser by purchasing tickets here.

On Sunday, May 18, at The Woodland Parlor, Sara Cedar Miller, historian emerita of the Central Park Conservancy, will explore the enduring influence of Asher B. Durand and other Hudson River School painters on Central Park’s design. Journey through 170 years of Central Park’s history, from its inception to the present day, and discover how it became a masterpiece of American art.

In the Woods, Asher B. Durand, Metropolitan Museum of Art

"In 1855," Miller said, "Asher B. Durand described his painting In the Woods as one that 'takes possession of you—draws you into it—you traverse it—breathe its atmosphere—feel its sunshine, and you repose in its shade without thinking of its design or execution, effect or color.' Just three years later, this immersive vision found a living counterpart in Central Park.'

After Ms. Miller's talk, visitors will be invited to Durand-Hedden House for the opening of the Olmsted exhibit. Visitors will also enjoy works by local artists in the Carriage House, the products of a recent Painters in the Park event sponsored by the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Refreshments will be served. Music performed by The Jackson Pellegrino Quartet.

The use of The Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Avenue, Maplewood, is generously donated by the Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture.

Durand-Hedden is grateful to Pollock Properties Group, which is generously sponsoring music for this event. Charlie and Vanessa Pollock are the founders of the Pollock Arts Initiative which, in partnership with the Achieve Foundation, promotes access and equity for art education for all children in our school district.

Purchase tickets for the May 16 fundraiser here. Register for the May 18 talk here.

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