After the American Revolution, many Loyalists chose to leave the U.S. It was the same for Loyalists of African descent. Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone were two places worth considering. Would moving gain them the independence they wanted?
Join the National Parks of Boston for Connections and Conversations.
As the American Revolution ended, people admired the ideals and faced the realities of the new national concept. Both free and enslaved Black residents of the North American coastline, in particular, hoped that they, too, would benefit from these ideals. Some Black families decided to ally themselves with the British military and moved to Nova Scotia. Other African Americans stayed in what became the United States. Cynthia Dorrington and Polly Kienle will depict how British Sierra Leone, the “Province of Freedom,” was experienced by Nova Scotian Black Loyalists and was dreamed of by American Quakers, personified by Capt. Paul Coffee from Massachusetts, a Black businessman and trader. Did experience and dreams collide, or did they coincide in the early 19th century? Join us and share your own thoughts!
Speakers: Cynthia Dorrington, Black Loyalist Heritage Society, Nova Scotia, and Polly Kienle, National Parks of Boston
Photo: Arrival of Ships to Freetown, 1792
This event is free, no ticket required.
Additional time info:
Twice per month the National Parks of Boston presents Connections and Conversations. Explore local history from home and away. Compare stories across time, distance and perspective. Exchange ideas and ask questions of park rangers and public historians.
Each program will include two presentations, followed by ample time for questions and answers with both presenters. Connections and Conversations will take place the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm (eastern time) live via WebEx.
2021/01/27 - 2021/01/27
National Parks of Boston
Charlestown Navy Yard, 21 Second Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129