New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St., New Bedford, has announced its programming commemorating Black History Month in February 2024. This year’s theme chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is African Americans and the Arts. New Bedford is known for its rich culture and historical artistic significance, and we celebrate today’s artists of the African diaspora who come from every corner of the globe. Two of New Bedford’s own, Iva Brito and Eden Soares will be telling the stories of their art and inspiration. In addition, the 1850s Ladies will explore New Bedford and Boston anti-slavery societies and how crafts became a part of the abolitionist cause. Finally, the park will show the movie, 12 Years A Slave, directed by African Brit Steve McQueen which tells the story of Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped and sold into enslavement from freedom.
Sat., Feb. 17 at 1:00 PM: Join the 1850 Ladies, aka Ruth and Abby as they explore both Boston and New Bedford anti-slavery societies on how they used crafting to raise money to support the abolitionist cause. What kinds of handcrafts or quilts were on display for sale? Do they have stories? Do they preserve history the community memories as well as for empowerment? The Ladies will display some of the arts and crafts sold and how New Bedford contributed to the cause. They will also tell stories of New Bedford’s women, who held abolitionist fairs here in the city.
Sat. Feb. 24 at 1:00 PM: Join us for the screening and discussion of the movie 12 Years A Slave – an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom directed by Steve McQueen. It is 1841 and Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity and deprived of all dignity, Northup is purchased by ruthless plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and must find the strength within to survive. In his twelfth year in captivity, a chance encounter with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life.
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