Darlene A. Colón
P O Box 1245
Lancaster, PA 17608-1245
717-330-8909 Quamony@aol.com
Christiana Historical Society – President; 2001 to present
The Christiana Historical Society evolved out the Committee to plan the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Christiana Resistance. The Society continues to grow and explore many facets of the Resistance which include continued efforts to trace descendants of all parties involved, give programs and lectures surrounding not only the Resistance but many other historical people and/or events in the area, as well as sponsoring many field trips to other areas.
United States Colored Troops Institute and Family Research Center, Oneonta, NY
Founded by Harry Matthews. Member since 1999; elected to Board of Directors June 2001; Vice President, Exec. Board, 2006 – 2020. The Institute, based at Hartwick College in NY, is dedicated to bringing the role of the African American in the Civil War to the forefront of American history. Also a member of the Society of Freedmen Descendants since 2010 becoming a Senior Fellow in 2011
2002 – Present – 1st Person Interpretations of African American Women in History
• Mrs. Lydia Hamilton Smith, housekeeper, financial manager, entrepreneur and confidante of Congressman Thaddeus Stevens.
• Kathay Williams aka William Kathay – the only known African American woman to successfully serve with the Buffalo Soldiers for two years in the Western Campaign masquerading as a man.
African American Historical Society of South Central PA – 2007 – present
President in 2011 – 2015. One of four co-founders. Organization dedicated to researching and educating public on rich African American history in South Central Pennsylvania through genealogy workshops, field trips and partnering with various community and educational organizations.
Pennsylvania Past Players – 2010 – present
Troupe of 1st person interpreters portraying stationmasters, conductors, and entrepreneurs during the Civil War Era.
Lancaster County Preservation and Trust 2005 – 2001
Board member – worked toward preservation of historical buildings deemed so by their architecture, their designer, owner or activities in the building.
2003 NAACP – award for work in local African American history.
2005 3rd Regiment USCT Re-enactors (acknowledgement for support and participation in various events they conducted.
2011 YWCA – given award for serving on Board for nine years and leading effort to educate community about racism by chairing and co-chairing Racial Justice Committee.
2017 National Park Service – Harriet Tubman conference – As Lydia Hamilton Smith to show how history can be taught using 1st person interpretation.
2019 PCN – Appeared on PCN on their series on African American History.
2021 The Leon Block – podcast by Jontel Toland – several podcasts on various African American historical events.
2021 Created Coloring Book for youth on Resistance at Christiana
2023 YouTube Presentation on Christiana Resistance
2024 Interview by Self Evident Education for Smithsonian Institute