Print
Share page with AddThis

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 plus the Greater Newburyport Community Media Hub. 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)
 
Black Abolitionists from Newburyport in the Age of Garrison” (12/6/2023)

Audience listening to public lecture “Expanding the Spotlight: Black Abolitionists from Newburyport in the Age of Garrison” (Photo by Richard K. Lodge, 12/6/2023)

• “Grant Us Our Liberty” interpretive sign near W.L. Garrison statue (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

“Grant Us Our Liberty” interpretive sign near W.L. Garrison statue (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

“Pictures with Purpose” interpretive sign near Inn St. playground (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

“Pictures with Purpose” interpretive sign near Inn St. playground (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

• Man reading “Perseverance in a Precarious World” interpretive sign about Louis C. Tyree on Pleasant St. (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

Man reading “Perseverance in a Precarious World” interpretive sign about Louis C. Tyree on Pleasant St. (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

• “Landmark within a Landmark” interpretive sign about M.P. Townes on State St. (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

“Landmark within a Landmark” interpretive sign about M.P. Townes on State St. (photo by Geordie Vining, 11/17/2023)

grant_us_our_liberty_sign

School group walking tour - "Grant Us Our Liberty" sign (photo by Geordie Vining, 4/2/2024)

a_black_neighborhood_in_historic_newburyport_sign

School group walking tour - "A Black Neighborhood in Historic Newburyport" sign (photo by Geordie Vining, 4/2/2024)

historic_african_american_section_of_old_hill_burying_ground

School group walking tour - Historic African American section of Old Hill Burying Ground (photo by Geordie Vining, 4/2/2024)

landmark_within_a_landmark_sign

School group walking tour - "A Landmark within a Landmark" sign (photo by Geordie Vining, 4/2/2024)