YOU MAY PLOW HERE: twice in April [Denver & Manitou Springs]

by | Mar 29, 2024

9 April 2024 Tuesday
5:00pm reception & book signing
5:30–6:45pm reading & storytelling
Denver Woman’s Press Club
1325 Logan Street, Denver, CO 80203
free parking in lot north of Club
$5 non-members
Kindly RSVP: rsvp@dwpconline.org

25 April 2024 Thursday
5:00pm reception & book signing
5:30–6:45pm reading & storytelling
Manitou Art Center
513 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

First published by W. W. Norton in 1986, YOU MAY PLOW HERE: The Narrative of Sara Brooks is an intimate and singular account, vividly told by an African American woman, the daughter of a free holder, a participant in the Great Migration north. The Chicago Tribune featured YMPH on the front page of their Sunday Book Section. The New York Times wrote, “This work is a fascinating … much-needed addition to our expanding knowledge of American social history. With the current assault on books by and about African-Americans, the 2023 re-release of YOU MAY PLOW HERE could not be more important or timely.

The new limited edition of YOU MAY PLOW HERE includes thirty-three duotone photographs of vestiges of the mule farming way of life in Sara Brooks’ Alabama home county and surrounding counties. Made in the 1970s by Thordis Simonsen, these images of people and place give a face to Sara Brooks’ vivid testimonial and help place it in a broader historical and cultural context. 

Writer-artist Thordis SImonsen has entertained and informed audiences as far away as Stavanger, Norway with stories about and readings from YOU MAY PLOW HERE. She is the founding director and curator of the Museum of Authenticity, an intimate museum of art and culture in Salida, Colorado.

The 2023 edition of YMPH was published by The Fundamental Note in cooperation with the Museum of Authenticity. Books will be available for purchase at both events, $40 plus tax, cash or check.

JOIN the camapign to raise $22,000 for the printing of the 2023 limited edition of YOU MAY PLOW HERE. In addition to or instead of purchasing books for yourselves, please consider purchasing a book to be given to one of the 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

For more information about the book and the campaign, please refer to the 13 October 2023 post on the events page of the museum website. Thank you!

VIDEO introduction to You May Plow Here.

You can purchase books here (or send a check to address below).

You can make cash contributions here (or send a check to address below).

Sincere thanks!

Thordis Niela SImonsen