I recently read Stephen L. Carter‘s novel The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln. I boldface novel so not to confuse the book with other Lincoln titles, usually non-fiction. In Carter’s novel, Lincoln lives after the play, and is still President. But he’s on the hot seat with Congress for going “too far” with the South, “too hard” on the rich folks, and “not far enough” for the radicals. At the center of this argument is a young aspiring Oberlin College graduate named Abigail Canner. Abigail was born a free black woman, she’s smart, determined, and through her Oberlin connections has a job with the law firm for the President’s defense team. Everyone seems to want to know Abigail.
Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 PM I moderate the discussion around the 1867 world of Abigail Canner at the Historical Society of Washington, DC (801 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001). [Download the flyer or RSVP for the free event on Eventbrite.] Our speakers and Carter are blurring the lines between fact and fiction. The thematic discussion of the book will go deep around Abigail, her world, her dreams even what she and her colleagues and neighbors would eat. Carter doesn’t give too many details, but we’ll fill the plate. One of my favorite culinary historians, Michael W. Twitty will join me to talk about foodways before, during and after the Civil War. You can read Michael’s open letter to Paula Deen on his Afroculinaria website — check out all the other good stuff in his web library too including a recipe for blueberry barbeque sauce. Michael and I take our southern food seriously.
Before HBCUs and Seven Sisters, the Oberlin Collegiate Institute that became Oberlin College, was the go-to college for all women and persons regardless of color for a complete Bachelor’s degree course, a “Literary Course” (for women minus Greek, Latin, and advanced mathematics), Theological studies, and eventually the Convervatory of Music (founded in 1865).
Once enrolled, Abigail the freshman would be on campus with some prominent upper class women. Abigail Canner may not mention these women, but they certainly would’ve crossed paths on Tappan Square:
After graduation, Fanny Jackson became principal of the girls’ high school at the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia. She opened the only trade school for African Americans in that city. Abigail would meet her fiance at Oberlin. Fanny was 44 when she married AME minister Reverend Levi Jenkins Coppin. Fanny also established homes for working and poor women and was a fighter in defending the rights of women and African Americans (source: Oberlin College). Coppin State University, in Baltimore, is named for Fanny Jackson Coppin.
Abigail had loads of oppportunities to connect with fellow Obies when she returned to Washington, DC. But she had more pressing matters in the post-Civil War city known for corruption, intrigue, danger, and mud.
The discussion at the Historial Society of Washington, DC is a program of DC By the Book, the DC Public Library’s website for mapping Washington, DC in fiction…or its gray areas, the color of Abigail Canner’s eyes.
All Aboard (Raise Money for Fisherman Along the Coast) — In Washington’s Union Station on June 8-9, The Patrón Tequila Epicurean Express will feature a home team of DC’s finest chefs working alongside Louisiana chefs in its galley in order to raise funds for St. Bernard Project – helping the good people of New Orleans get back on their feet, back in their houses, and back to work following Katrina, and most recently, the oil spill. A roster of chefs including New Orleans’ own, Brian Landry of Galatoire’s and Greg Reggio of Zea’s Rotisserie Grill as well as local D.C. Southern style chefs–Ann Cashion, RJ Cooper, pastry chef David Guas, Jeff Tunks, and one chef steeped in French culture, Robert Wiedmaier, will serve up hors d’oeuvres at the Tuesday evening cocktail party (limited to 100 guests, $50 each) and a complete seated dinner on Wednesday June 9 (with room for no more than 20 guests at $250 per person, this is a great opportunity to commandeer the whole car for a very special private party…) Also, legislative conductors involved as honorary hosts include Congressman Charlie and Peachy Melancon, and Senator Mary Landrieu, and the district’s honorary patrons, D.C. City Councilman Jack Evans and Louisiana native and president of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, Lynne Breaux. Ticket prices include all beverages — and no worries about over-imbibing on this rail-journey: the train’s not actually leaving the station, but 100% of all proceeds help the St. Bernard Project, founded by D.C. native, Liz McCartney, so that it can keep chugging along, helping the people of the New Orleans area. To reserve your seat on The Patrón Tequila Epicurean Express for St Bernard Project see: 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, DC Author & Lecture Series