Lancaster Region

In the year 1200, Europe was on the move - hundreds of thousands were involved in religious pilgrimages or the military equivalent - the Crusades. How, when, and where did this culture of journeying begin? How did pilgrimage affect every aspect of life in Europe, especially architecture, art, and our own religious practices? From the fourth-century nun Egeria traveling to the Holy Land on her own to the thousands of medieval pilgrims walking the roads to Rome and Compostela, there are many wonderful travel tales and a rich visual legacy.

Please join Attorney J. Dwight Yoder for a review of the legal and historical context of slavery and racial discrimination in the United States. Often referred to as America’s “original sin,” the kidnapping of Africans, who were then taken to the U.S. colonies where they were enslaved and treated as property, represents one of the most tragic and inhumane parts of our country’s history. Even after slavery was abolished following the Civil War, discrimination, organized violence and systemic oppression against African-Americans continued. Learning about the history of slavery and discrimination in the United States is critical for understanding and being able to address the challenges facing our country today.