What can historical artifacts and structures teach us that history books can’t? Explore the story of Fulton Fryar, a young African American man who, beginning in 1957, was invited to sing at the Seagle Music Colony’s summer training program in northern New York. Despite the absence of formal segregation in the North, Mr. Fryar was placed in a separate, small room he referred to as “The Closet.” Watch interviews with Mr. Fryar about his experiences in Schroon Lake and historian Jackie Madison, who goes into further detail about segregation in America in the 50s and 60s. Then, using the support materials in this media gallery, go on a virtual tour of “Fulton Fryar’s Closet” at the Adirondack Experience.
Ignite your students’ curiosity with this fantastic classroom resource on PBS LearningMedia!
Architectural Conservation: Uncovering Black History and Historical Truths | Mountain Lake Journal
Grades 6-12
In 1957, a young African American man named Fulton Fryar was offered a role in the Seagle Music Colony, an opera troupe in northern New York. Despite the absence of formal segregation in the North, Fulton Fryar was placed in a separate, small room he referred to as “The Closet.” This segregation within a non-segregated region highlights the pervasive nature of racial discrimination and inequality. The Closet is a symbol of the challenges faced by African Americans in the 1950s and the need to preserve such spaces as historical artifacts. The story emphasizes the importance of preserving and learning from hidden histories to prevent a repetition of the past and promote progress towards a more equitable future.
Explore PBS LearningMedia
Inspire your students with thousands of free resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to New York State and national standards. Discover media for grades preK-12, strategies, tools, professional development, and more.
Get Started Today!
Sign up for a free account to unlock access to New York State standards, and teacher tools like class rosters, lesson builders, quizzes and more.
PBS LearningMedia is New York EdLaw 2-d compliant and compatible with Google Classroom, Schoology, Clever and Remind.
Make the most of this trusted source for pre-K-12 classroom resources. Schedule a free professional development workshop for your school, virtually or in-person.
Contact us to learn more: mlpbs@mlpbs.org