Board Member Interview: Gina Ruffin Moore

Gina Ruffin Moore sharing about the importance of history in the "old kitchen" of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Sept. 2020)

​Board member Gina Ruffin Moore moved to Cincinnati as a teen. She serves as the Secretary of the Board of Friends of Harriet Beecher Stowe House. Gina is the author of a book on the history of African Americans in Cincinnati, Cincinnati: The Black America Series. Her book is published by Arcadia Publishing and can be found for sale in the bookstore. Following are edited excerpts from an interview with Ms. Ruffin Moore.
 
When did you first learn about the Harriet Beecher Stowe House?
I first learned about the Harriet Beecher Stowe House when I was 13 or 14 years old. I lived in Walnut Hills and my dad took us on drives to see historic spots. We used to drive past it many times.

What is your favorite event?
I really enjoyed the Do the Right Thing film discussion (February 2021 Semi-Colon Club). I saw the Spike Lee film when it first came out. I enjoyed hearing other people’s perspectives on the film. I also enjoyed an event before COVID-19 when we watched a video on the history of the Black Panther Movement and then had a discussion.

What is one thing you have learned since becoming actively involved with the Harriet Beecher Stowe House?
I have learned much about the Lane Seminary Debates that happened in 1834. The professors at the Lane Seminary were not very keen on the students debating on the topics of colonization vs. immediate freedom. The differences between the professors and the students led to the fall of Lane Seminary and many students transferring to Oberlin College. The leadership at Lane Seminary was not very progressive at that time. 

Gina recommends people interested in volunteering to read Uncle Tom's Cabin and to learn about Josiah Henson. Check out our bookstore for both of these books.

---