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EXTON, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries will designate Joseph Lloyd Manor in Lloyd Harbor, New York, as a Literary Landmark™ in honor of Jupiter Hammon, the first published African-American poet. The designation will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 17, which recognizes Hammon's 309th birthday as well as Black Poetry Day. This will mark the first Literary Landmark dedication to be livestreamed.

Jupiter Hammon (1711–ca.1806) was enslaved at Joseph Lloyd Manor. He wrote powerfully about the social and moral conflicts of chattel slavery which he endured most of his life. Hammon’s known works include 3 essays and 6 poems. At Joseph Lloyd Manor in 1786, he penned “An Address to the Negroes of the State of New-York” and “An Essay on Slavery.”

The event will feature remarks by Rocco Staino, United for Libraries Board member and Director of Empire State Center for the Book; a speech by Irene Moore, President of the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council; and a poetry reading by actor/writer Malik Work. The winners of the Jupiter Hammon Portrait Essay/Poetry Contest will recite their winning essays and poems, sponsored by the Town of Huntington Historic African American Designation Council.

To register via Zoom, visit .

To view the event via Facebook Live (no registration required), visit Preservation Long Island’s Facebook page at on Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. ET.

is committed to the book in all formats. Interests of the Center include the promotion of the culture of reading, literature, literacy, book arts, and book history throughout New York State. The Center will work with publishers, libraries, museums, educational institutions, scholars, authors, illustrators and other interested parties to enrich book culture for the people of New York. The Center for the Book relies on grants, sponsorships and the contributions of individuals who share the ideals and support the mission of the Center to promote literature, literacy and libraries.

The program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 150 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. More information is available on the United for Libraries website.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the 91´«Ã½ with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.