Madame Selika 1878

Songbird in the White House

On Thursday, February 19, the County will present a free public performance of “Madame Selika: 1878, Songbird in the White House,” a re-creation commemorating the historic 1878 White House concert by soprano Marie Selika Williams, who performed at the recommendation of Frederick Douglass for President Rutherford B. Hayes.

Madame Selika and her husband, Samson Williams, were the first free people of color to perform at the White House.

This event, starting at 6:30pm at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, is free to attend, but registration is required.