Some battles are won in near silence on fields without weapons against surprising foes. Forty years ago the Wentworth Hotel was integrated on July 4 by a courageous young couple.
Just forty years ago this week – July 4, 1964 -- Emerson and Jane Reed, an African-American couple, were turned away from a local restaurant simply because they were black. This week, in memory of that event, dozens of African-Americans filled that same restaurant to capacity. There were a few speeches made and a few memories exchanged, but for the most part, they came to Wentworth by the Sea simply to be there, to close the circle, and to feel the importance of the moment.
The reeds did have dinner at the Wentworth that night. The story is told in full in the newly released history book Black Portsmouth by Mark Sammons and Valerie Cunningham. Both Valerie and Mark were in attendance, along with members of the local NAACP and the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail. The story also appears in my recent history of Wentworth by the Sea.
The Wentworth was an "exclusive" hotel for most of its first 100 years. Catholics, Jews and blacks and a number of other minorities were barred. Owners James Barker Smith and his wife Margaret knew when they purchased the business in 1946 that it catered to a wealthy "Gentile" clientele. The real estate agent who sold them the property specifically noted that the Wentworth was then one of the last exclusive hotels on the Atlantic Coast. It might have stayed that way except for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that banned all public accommodations from discriminating against patrons due to race.
Following enactment of the anti-segregation legislation, a number of Civil Rights volunteers, black and white, methodically put the new laws to the test. On Independence Day in 1965 University of New Hampshire professor Hugh Potter and his wife Jean made reservations for four at the Wentworth dining room and paid for the meals in advance. The white couple arrived first and, as expected, when the second couple turned out to be African-American, they were denied access to the public restaurant. The white couple who had made the reservations were called into the owner's office and, according to a hand-written report given to SeacoastNH.com, an extremely uncomfortable conversation followed. All four members of the group were asked to leave numerous times. But when the guests threatened to report the hotel for its violation of the Civil Rights law, the owner relented and diners were served.
The "sting" succeeded and the Wentworth was integrated at last. It was this brave moment of quiet dignity, although almost lost to history, that guests of the Wentworth celebrated. It was an honor to be there.
Aldrich's Bad Boy Live May 9 - 11, 2008 Note -- Sunday show is matinee -- Pontine Theatre celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Portsmouth's Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial with it's original stage adaptation of the author's 1869 novel, THE STORY OF A BAD BOY. Co-Directors, Greg Gathers and Mar...
Tea with John Paul Jones May 11, 2008 PORTSMOUTH – Enjoy a Mother’s Day tea with brave Captain Jones, 18th Century Style at the John Paul Jones House 43 Middle St Portsmouth from 2-4 pm on May 11, 2008.
Price: $15 ($12 members of Portsmouth Historical Society)
Plan your Mother’s Day ...
Mistral - No Ordinary Women May 11, 2008 PORTSMOUTH -- Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Music Hall! This acclaimed Boston-based ensemble will be providing high spirits and serious music making as they focus on inspirational works by women composers. Treat your mother, wife, or sister to chamber m...
Mother’s Day Tea d’ Jazz May 11, 2008 EXETER -- Bring your mother, family, friends to hear Jazz trumpeter Tom Palance and his Jazz Quartet – piano, drums, bass and trumpet, in a variety of swing jazz favorites and familiar standards of yesteryear. Elegant tearoom seating, teas, coffees, dr...
UNH Symphony May 11, 2008 The University of New Hampshire Department of Music presents the UNH Concert Choir under the direction of William Kempster and the UNH Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Larry Veal in concert on Sunday afternoon, May 11, 2008 beginning at 3:00 p....
Evening with Ozomatli May 11, 2008 PORTSMOUTH -- Los Angeles’ legendary, double Grammy-Award winning, favorite sons Ozomatli, the 10-man rock/rap collective from Los Angeles performing a globalized Hispanic funk, with roots in salsa, merengue, hip-hop, and Middle Eastern music. Through t...
Greenability Lecture & Soup May 12, 2008 EXETER -- Blue Moon Natural Foods, 8 Clifford Street, Exeter, celebrates its thirteenth year with “an intergenerational green initiative” that includes three different cooking series running through May. The anniversary schedule of events promoting h...
Sea Dogs: Celebrating 15 Years May 13, 2008 PORTLAND -- Charlie Eshbach, President/General Manager, Portland Sea Dogs, will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Sea Dogs with the publication of a new history of the team, “The Portland Sea Dogs: Images of Baseball.” FREE
LIVESTRONG Day May 13, 2008 EXETER -- Wear yellow. Honor and support people affected by cancer in our community. Enjoy a new exhibition of art by cancer survivors. Learn about the Lance Armstrong Foundation's programs to unite people to fight cancer, and meet a member of the LAF s...
FIRST BLACKS 
