Central Nova News

Dr. Alison Mann is set to present a lecture titled “The Brutal Truth Revealed: The 1837 Case of Dorcas Allen,” which delves into a tragic event from 1837 involving Dorcas Allen and her children. The incident occurred when Allen, an enslaved woman, was sold along with her four children to James H. Birch, a slave trader in the District of Columbia. Upon being transported to the Duke Street pen, Allen killed her two youngest children and attempted to harm the others.

In October of that year, Allen appeared before the District Court in Alexandria, pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Her case garnered attention from notable figures such as Congressman John Quincy Adams and District Attorney Francis Scott Key but remains largely unknown today. Dr. Mann's lecture aims to shed light on this story of African American agency under dire circumstances.

Dr. Mann currently serves as the Historian at the National Museum of American Diplomacy within the U.S. Department of State and is recognized for her expertise in diplomatic history and 19th-century American history. Her academic background includes teaching positions at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, University of New Hampshire, and Franklin Pierce University. She holds advanced degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Rutgers University.

The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. Tickets are priced at $15, with discounts available for OHA members and volunteers through Alexandriava.gov/Shop.

For disability accommodations or language assistance services, attendees can contact Jim Holloway or use provided email addresses and phone numbers for support.

This event is part of Alexandria's celebration marking its 275th anniversary since its founding in 1749, highlighting its historical significance and ongoing journey toward inclusivity.