(Photo provided) Milton Holland.

From staff reports

Marietta College will host a public lecture by local historian about three men born in Texas who came to southeast Ohio to attend a school for free Black children.

The lecture, titled “But Not for My Children: The Holland Brothers’ Remarkable Journey from Enslavement,” will be presented at 6 p.m. Monday at The Gathering Place by Scott Britton. It focuses on his research into the lives of Milton, William and James Holland, who were born to politician Bird Holland and an enslaved woman on a plantation in Texas and were later sent to Athens County, Ohio, to attend the Albany Manual Labor Academy.

According to information from the college, the presentation will examine the historical context surrounding the Holland family and their connection to southeastern Ohio, including the role of education in their lives during a period of division in the United States.

Tony Mayle, associate dean of students and director of student connections and outreach at Marietta College, said the event is intended to encourage discussion about local and national history.

(Photo provided) Scott Britton.

“This lecture reflects Marietta College’s commitment to engaging our campus and community in meaningful dialogue about the complexities of our shared history,” Mayle said.

Britton serves as executive director of The Castle Museum, where he oversees educational programming, including historic walking tours. He frequently presents on Civil War and multicultural history in southeastern Ohio and has held leadership roles with several historical organizations, including the Washington County Historical Society and the Civil War Roundtable of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. More information is available at marietta.edu/event/holland-brothers.