The Ohio State University at Marion lecture series Buckeye Talks on Tap welcomes Ohio State Marion Academic Advisor and Student Research, Sharon Gattshall, who will present a free public lecture titled, “"Bill Anderson’s Fight for Freedom, Marion, Ohio 1839," Tuesday, October 14th, 5:30 p.m. at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen.
Gattshall will share the compelling story of one of Marion, Ohio’s little known yet explosive court cases. Gattshall shared that Bill Anderson, a respected Marion resident, was accused by men from Virginia of being their enslaved property. Under Ohio’s Black Laws, he was jailed pending trial. The verdict shocked many—but the aftermath was even more explosive. A riot broke out between pro- and anti-slavery groups, drawing national media attention. This powerful yet little-known story of resistance, justice, and community solidarity not only shaped Marion’s identity but also echoed across a nation grappling with slavery and freedom.
Admission to Buckeye Talks on Tap is free and open to the community and the campus. Buckeye Talks on Tap lectures are held on Tuesdays once a month at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, inside Passenger & Rail Co., at 320 W. Center St., Marion, Ohio. Doors for the lecture open at 5 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m., and a short Q&A to follow. Buckeye Talks on Tap is patterned after the successful international phenomenon Science Cafe that features engaging conversation in casual environments like pubs, restaurants and cafes between academic/scientific experts and the community on topics of interest to us all. The goal of the lecture series is to bring the campus and the community together in casual open discussions about timely thought-provoking topics of interest to citizens of the Marion regional area.
Those attending the event will be entered to win a door prize provided by Marcie DeWitt from Anchor and Away Travel. Have dinner and a drink own your own and join this lively casual presentation/discussion.
The Ohio State University at Marion was established in 1957 in Marion, Ohio as one of four Ohio State regional campuses. The 187-acre campus provides an open access portal to Ohio's flagship university, faculty expertise, and the breadth and depth of opportunity synonymous with one of the country's top public universities. Students can earn and associate of arts or bachelor's degree in biology, business, education, engineering technology, English, history, nursing, psychology, or social work on the Marion campus or begin any of 200+ Ohio State degree programs. Ohio State Marion's caring community of world-renowned faculty scholars and researchers and dedicated staff are passionate about fostering the full potential of each student in an inclusive environment that embraces the idea of caring and personal attention. Ohio State Marion prepares students for meaningful careers through innovative, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences and seeks to be the destination of choice for those seeking a university education at a campus recognized for excellence in teaching, research, community outreach, and citizenship.