Come visit the Walnut Hills Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library for the opening event of “Cincinnati’s Lost Founders,” an exhibit created with support from the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Ohio Humanities.

Sometimes, important history is easy to find. Large monuments tell us about someone’s brave deeds. A beautifully preserved building shows secrets about the lives of those who walked inside them. At other times, important history needs some digging. 

​Mr. James Clark, a Cincinnati native, has just such a story to share. You may know Mr. James Clark as the friendly jazz aficionado who hangs out at Caffe Vivace. Mr. Clark also happens to be descended from the Hemings and Fossett families, enslaved men and women who helped run Thomas Jefferson’s plantation, Monticello. Once they obtained their freedom, his ancestors traveled to Cincinnati, established successful businesses, participated in the Underground Railroad, and worked hard to help their community.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Walnut Hills Library branch are celebrating the exhibit and Mr. Clark with a jazz show jam session. Vocalist Emily Grace Jordan, Jordan Pollard on piano, Matt McCoy on bass, and Alex Merk on drums will lead the pack. They’ll be playing a variety of jazz standards, American songbooks, and Latin and Brazilian tunes. Come by, bring your instrument, and jump in. Let’s show some love for Mr. Clark and Caffe Vivace!

Please RSVP for the event here.

Please RSVP for the jam session here.

This exhibit was supported in part by an Ohio Humanities Spark Grant.

Curious about other grants? Visit our calendar or browse our list of grantees!