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Newburyport Black History Initiative

Newburyport Black History Initiative

The Newburyport Black History Initiative (NBHI) is illuminating some of the community’s history that has been largely overlooked or forgotten. Directed by Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining, and Cyd Raschke, the Initiative is installing approximately 11-12 historic interpretive signs in the everyday public landscape of Newburyport’s downtown core area. The project is funded by the Newburyport Community Preservation Committee and the City Council and others. The signs will center the stories of Black Americans who lived and worked in Newburyport from the pre-Revolutionary War era to the early 20th century. The videos available on this page were produced by local videographer and documentarian Dianne Steimel. The layouts of the interpretive signs were produced by the design firm Arrowstreet.

Ribbon cutting 2-1-23 First Sign - by Mike Springer
First sign ribbon cutting by Mike Springer (2/1/2023)
 
Kabria Baumgartner at 2/1/23 NBHI event by Mike Springer
Kabria Baumgartner at NBHI event by Mike Springer (2/1/2023)
 
NBHI event (2/1/2023) by Bob Watts
NBHI event by Bob Watts (2/1/2023)
 
People viewing first sign 2/1/2023 by Bob Watts
People viewing first sign by Bob Watts (2/1/2023)
 
A black neighborhood in historic Newburyport sign by Bob Watts
A Black Neighborhood in Historic Newburyport sign by Bob Watts (2/1/2023)