Jacob’s Pillow is recognized for its contributions to the heritage of
the African diaspora: as a station on the Underground Railroad in the 1860s;
where local African-American entrepreneur Warren H Davis helped construct the Ted Shawn Theatre;
where the theatre's first season in 1942 featured African dance pioneer Asadata Dafora;
and where today the Pillow continues its commitment to present, teach, document 
and support African and African-American dance.