Press Release
To mark Black History Month, the New Bedford Historical Society and the New Bedford Free Public Library are hosting a series of programs highlighting the maritime contributions of African-Americans and Cape Verdeans. From Slavery to Freedom: African-Americans and Maritime History, a panel exhibit on loan from the Commonwealth Museum, traces important themes in maritime history that have often been hidden or ignored.
For African-Americans, the year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first Africans coming to the Americas. Records reveal, that in 1619, at least twenty skilled African tradesmen arrived in the fledgling English colony of Virginia while the first Africans arrived in Massachusetts in 1638. The sea played a significant role in the history of African-Americans. It was a source of misery on the dangerous Middle Passage from Africa to the New World, meanwhile some Massachusetts merchants grew rich from the slave trade and close economic connections with sugar plantations in the West Indies. New Bedford also experienced great wealth from the whaling and textile industry, both with their connections to slavery.
By the nineteenth century, Massachusetts became an important center of the abolitionist movement and seaport communities became an avenue of escape for enslaved individuals as well as a source of employment. This was particularly true in the whaling port of New Bedford.
The exhibit highlights the Quaker merchants who thought slavery was immoral and who became ardent anti-slavery advocates. Quakers like William Rotch, Sr. and Jr., Charles W. Morgan, and William Rodman were among those who joined the members of the free Black community to hide the enslaved and provide sanctuary and routes of escape. Merchants provided escape and support to fugitives like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Henry Box Brown, Lewis Hayden and countless others who went on to be the leaders of the abolitionist movement and the voices of the enslaved.
In addition to the exhibit, Dr. Timothy Walker will give an overview about African Americans and the Maritime Trades in New Bedford on February 23 from 2:30–4:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served with an opportunity to meet the speaker.
From Slavery to Freedom captures the journey of African-Americans through slavery, abolition, and emancipation in New Bedford and across the state and will be on display through March 2, 2019.
The Main Branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library is at 613 Pleasant St., in Downtown New Bedford.
Black History Month Events
Sponsored by the New Bedford Historical Society
From Slavery to Freedom: African Americans in Maritime History. A panel exhibit that highlights the important role of African Americans and Cape Verdeans in New Bedford’s maritime history. Jan. 17–Mar. 2, Library 3rd Fl.
Sunday, 2/10 from 2–6 p.m. 19th Annual Frederick Douglass Community Read-a-thon, First Unitarian Church, 71 Eighth Street, New Bedford, MA. Join the community in a reading of Douglass’s Narrative of his life. Light refreshments.
Programs for Young Readers Thursday, 2/14, 5:30–7 p.m., Happy Birthday, Frederick Douglass. Enter the Douglass birthday card contest at any of the branch libraries. Prizes given for most original cards.
Join Doodles in a kid’s workshop to make birthday cards to celebrate the 201st birthday of this great American. Handouts and materials provided. Library 3rd Floor
Tuesday, 2/19, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Sgt. William H. Carney — short film. Carl Cruz highlights the life of William H. Carney and reads about Carney’s heroics during the U.S. Civil War in, Hold the Flag High. Handouts and materials provided. Library 3rd Floor
Thursday, 2/21 1:30–3:30 p.m. New Bedford and the Underground Railroad, The Journey of Henry Box Brown — short film. Reading from Voices from the Underground Railroad. Brother and sister, Jeb and Mattie escape from enslavement in Maryland and travel on the Underground Railroad to find their brother in New Bedford. Handouts and materials provided. Library 3rd Floor
Saturday, 2/23, 2:30 – 4:40 p.m. Professor Timothy Walker presents African Americans and the Maritime Trades. Talk and Presentation. Light refreshments to follow. Library 3rd Fl.
Contact: Lee Blake, President of the New Bedford Historical Society, info@nbhistoricalsociety.org visit www.nbhistoricalsociety.org
For more information on Black History visit https://www.blackpast. org/african-american-history/101-african-american-firsts/
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