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Presented by Kentucky Humanities, Elizabeth Lawson portrays Charlotte Dupuy. This program is part of Kentucky Legends, a series exploring our state's culture, history, and lore.
Kentucky Humanities and the Lexington Public Library present Elizabeth Lawson as Charlotte Dupuy.
Charlotte Dupuy was born into slavery in 1787 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At the age of eight, Charlotte was sold to for $100, and forced to leave her family. Ten years later, Charlotte was brought to Kentucky and registered as a slave. While in Lexington, she met and married Aaron Dupuy, who was enslaved by Henry Clay and his wife, Lucretia. Charlotte was sold to the Clay family, allowing her and Aaron to live as husband and wife. Charlotte spent her time with the Clay family carrying out household chores and caring for the Clay’s children, as well as raising her own two.
In 1825, the Clay family moved to Washington, D.C. as Henry Clay served as Secretary of State. While there, Charlotte found a lawyer who filed papers for her and her children, suing for their freedom.
Elizabeth Lawson of Lexington portrays Charlotte Dupuy for Kentucky Chautauqua. Lawson began her research of Charlotte Dupuy while working at the Lexington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. She has presented the story of Charlotte Dupuy for school groups and adult audiences throughout the state.
Kentucky Chautauqua is an exclusive presentation of Kentucky Humanities with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and from: Christina Lee Brown, the Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation, and PNC. Kentucky Humanities is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, visit kyhumanities.org or call (859) 257-5932.
Registration suggested.
AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Middle School | High School | Families | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Summer at the Library | Plays, Music & Other Performances | Local History |
TAGS: | Kentucky Legends |
| Mon, Oct 28 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
| Tue, Oct 29 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
| Wed, Oct 30 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
| Thu, Oct 31 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
| Fri, Nov 01 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
| Sat, Nov 02 | 9:30AM to 5:00PM |
| Sun, Nov 03 | 1:00PM to 5:00PM |
The Central Library is located on East Main Street in downtown Lexington next to Phoenix Park.
