“Landmarks of Slavery and Freedom” in Hingham, 13 May

On Saturday, 13 May, the Abigail Adams Historical Society, which is the steward of the Abigail Adams Birthplace (shown here), and the Hingham Public Library will present a panel discussion on “Landmarks of Slavery and Freedom: Exploring Local African-American Historic Sites.”

The event description says:

Abigail Smith Adams strongly opposed the institution of slavery, yet she grew up in a slave-owning household. Her father, the Reverend William Smith, owned a male servant named Tom and a female servant named Phoebe; both played significant roles in Adams’s life. As part of the Abigail Adams Historical Society’s continuing efforts to explore the subject of colonial New England slavery, it is co-sponsoring with the Hingham Public Library a panel discussion on local African-American historic sites.

Representatives from the Abigail Adams Birthplace, Museum of African American History (MAAH), Parting Ways Historic Site, and the Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee/Florence’s African-American Heritage Trail will describe the stories behind these landmarks and the important role they play in the community.

Providing insight into the lives of African Americans in early New England will be historian Kerima Lewis.

This event will run from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, in Hingham. It is free and open to the public, with no reservations necessary.