Programs and Events

Find Out About Jonathan Daniels With A Morning Walk And A Quest

On Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Keene Public Library’s Heberton Hall, 60 Winter St., people are all ages and abilities are invited to celebrate the birthday of Jonathan Daniels. Activities include read aloud stories and recorded music from the Civil Rights era. Participants can walk in the footsteps of Jonathan Daniels. Follow clues from a Quest developed by 7th and 8th graders at the Surry Village Charter School. A Quest is an award-winning, place-based education program that uses treasure hunts to celebrate community, natural, history, cultural sites, stories and special places. Participants will follow clues leading through the neighborhood where Jonathan lived, played, attended school and worshipped. Returning to Heberton Hall, participants will learn more about Jonathan’s life and will consider signing up for a “Commitment to Serve” pledge card to help make the world a better place in honor of Jonathan Daniels. Displays from other organizations including Vision 2020, the Keene State College Dietetic Program, the Historical Society of Cheshire County, the Keene Public Library, and the future Jonathan Daniels School Museum will be on featured. Healthy snacks will provided by the Keene State College Dietetic Internship program. You can print a flyer of this program.

Jonathan Daniels was born in Keene on March 20, 1939 and was studying for the priesthood when he joined many other students and faith leaders all over the country to help register voters in the mostly black communities of the South. He was murdered in Hayneville, Alabama on August 20, 1965 while protecting a co-worker from being shot.

This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. / Jonathan Daniels Committee of the City of Keene. The purpose of the City's Martin Luther King Jr. / Jonathan Daniels committee is to celebrate and memorialize the lives of Martin Luther King, Jonathan Daniels and the principles of civil equality and multiculturalism for which they stood. The committee educates the public about the lives of these individuals and the principles of equality and non-violence to which they dedicated their lives. For more information, please contact Andy Bohannon, Director of Keene Parks and Recreation, at 603-357-9829.