Legendary Still Family of the Pines

In this second of two talks by John Volpa, the Director of Education for Pinelands Adventures, you’ll learn about a little known part of Jersey history. If you’ve seen the 2019 Oscar nominated film Harriet, which chronicles the life of Harriet Tubman, then you were introduced to one of the Still brothers, William, an Underground Railroad station agent in Philadelphia. You may not know that William’s older brother, James, was known as the Black Doctor of the Pines. Travel back through time to discover some of the medicinal plants Dr. Still used in his practice. Along the way you’ll be enthralled hearing the amazing story of their parents’ bondage, then freedom, to create this family’s genuine American story which is unique because its set in West Jersey.  We’ll discover why West Jersey had an early Underground Railroad network, how basic education can make a huge difference in one’s life and which plants were commonly used by herbalists like Dr. Still.

This webinar will be livestreamed on the Pinelands Commission’s YouTube channel, where the archived video will be posted for later viewing.