BOSTON

NANTUCKET

EXHIBITS

EVENTS

MUSEUM STORE

The Museum of African American History is dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England from the colonial period through the 19th century.

2003 Events, Boston
(Partial Listing)

JULY


Saturday, July 19, 11 am - 1 pm
54th Regiment Celebration
Come to the African Meeting House Boston to celebrate the 54th Regiment with songs, speeches, and historical reenactments. Meet members of the 54th Regiment, the first black unit from the North to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War. James Spruill will play Frederick Douglass and Lawrence Watson will perform musical selections. Free.


July 19, 2003 - January 3, 2004
Selections From The Collection:
The Civil War
This year marks the 140th anniversary of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first black regiment recruited in the North. To honor these brave Americans who fought for the union and demanded equal rights for African American soldiers, the Museum of African American History is showcasing a distinctive selection of Civil War artifacts from its permanent collection. On display together for the first time are original artifacts belonging to officers and soldiers, including Col. Robert Gould Shaw's uniform, Sgt. William H. Carney's account of the Battle of Fort Wagner, a manual of bayonet exercises, and a rare oil painting of an unnamed 54th Regiment soldier.

Coming in September
A Tribute to Maria Stewart
Sunday, September 28
4 - 6 pm
The Museum of African American History will celebrate the 200th birthday of women's rights activist, journalist and educator, Maria Stewart (1803-1879) who is hailed as the first American-born woman and the first African American who dared to rise and speak before an audience of both men and women.

Listen to Stewart's inspiring words as they are read by Carmen M. Fields, Director, Media Relations, KeySpan Energy New England; Diane B. Patrick, Partner, Ropes & Gray; Vikki L. Pryor, President & CEO, SBLI USA; The Reverend Laurel E. Scott, Pastor, Old West Church; Karen Holmes Ward, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services, WCVB-TV.

Moderator: Dr. Lois Brown, associate professor of English at Mt. Holyoke College. Book signing: Marilyn Richardson, Maria W. Stewart: America's First Black Political Writer.

Tickets $25.00
Members of the Museum or the National Trust for Historic Preservation admitted free.
Museum memberships start at $15 and can be purchased at the door.

Click here to learn more about Maria Stewart.

OCTOBER

Friday, July 25, 5 pm
Topic: Contemporary Folk Art
Speaker: Brooke Anderson, Director and Curator, American Folk Art Museum, New York

Saturday, July 26, 11am
Topic: Secrets of Old Houses
Speaker: Ellen Berkland, Boston City Archaeologist

Wednesday, July 30, 4 pm
Topic: The Other Nantucket
Speaker: Fran Karttunen, Author and Historian

Saturday, Aug 2, 4 pm
Topic: Restoration Philosophy: Yale Trowbridge House
Speaker: David Halpern

The following lecture is co-sponsored with the Nantucket Historical Association. Free admission. Call (508) 228-1894 to make a reservation.

Thursday, Aug 21, 8 pm
Lecture by Lynn Hudson, author of "The Making of Mammy Pleasant: A Black Entrepreneur in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco."

Saturday, Dec. 6
Christmas Stroll on Nantucket
Featuring Soulsege singing ensemble. Check back for additional details about this program.

Boston Continued

Saturday, Oct.18, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10:30 am - 1:30pm
Quilting Workshops: Spoken Stories in Cloth

In conjunction with the Amistad visit to Boston (see Oct. 21 event), learn to quilt in an intergenerational quilting workshop that offers an historical view of quilt code language, message and communication from traditional cultures as it relates to the story of Freedom in America during slavery and its abolition. Open to beginning and experienced quilters.
Reservations required - limited enrollment

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6 – 9pm
Profiles in Color: A Tribute to Captain Pinkney
The Museum of African American History will present "Profiles in Color," an interview with Captain William Pinkney, conducted by Ron Claiborne, ABC News correspondent. The master of the Freedom Schooner Amistad, Captain Pinkney is the first and only African American to solo circumnavigate the globe. When he pilots the Amistad into Boston Harbor on October 14, this will be the final professional voyage of this renowned sailor's career. The evening will include the interview with Captain Pinkney, presentation of the Museum’s African American History Award, and an audience Q & A. A reception for guests at the Abiel Smith School next door will follow.

NOVEMBER

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 pm
What's in Your Attic? Tracing Your Family Tree

This Thanksgiving, learn how to capture those family stories swapped around the dining table and preserve the historic treasures in your attic. Hear from local families and historians who can provide insight on documenting, researching and preserving your family's history. Speakers will include members of the Sullivan Family (see Selections from the Collection ) and Dr. Lois Brown, Mt. Holyoke College.

Dec. 9, 10, 11, 10:30 am -Noon

Kwanzaa Workshops
Learn the principles of Kwanzaa at a workshop that features traditional West African drum rhythms and music in a hands-on interactive session.
FREE Reservations required

Sunday, Dec. 14, 4 pm
GYBSO Concert/Abolitionist Christmas Tree
Celebrate An Abolitionists’ Christmas
Enjoy our annual holiday presentation of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra's presentation of classical music ensemble performances in the Museum’s Abiel Smith School. Create special ornaments to honor what historians believe was the first public Christmas Tree in the United States in 1834, displayed by the women of the Boston Anti-Slavery Society. Join in our ornament making station for on-going workshop activity. Sponsored by the National Park Service.
FREE All ages welcome.