The long-awaited companion book to the SeacoastNH.com Black History web site.
Black Portsmouth brings together 25 years of research by historian Valerie Cunningham,
originator of the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail. Dedicated research by Valerie
and co-author Mark Sammons tell the nearly 400-year history of African Americans
in a small seaport town in New England, breaking new ground all the way.
Few people think of a rich Black heritage when they think of New England. In
the pioneering book Black Portsmouth, Mark J. Sammons and Valerie Cunningham celebrate
it, guiding the reader through more than three centuries of New England and Portsmouth
social, political, economic, and cultural history as well as scores of personal
and site-specific stories. Here, we meet such Africans as the "likely negro boys
and girls from Gambia," who debarked at Portsmouth from a slave ship in 1758,
and Prince Whipple, who fought in the American Revolution. We learn about their
descendants, including the performer Richard Potter and John Tate of the People’s
Baptist Church, who overcame the tragedies and challenges of their ancestors’
enslavement and subsequent marginalization to build communities and families,
found institutions, and contribute to their city, region, state, and nation in
many capacities. Individual entries speak to broader issues—the anti-slavery movement,
American religion, and foodways, for example. We also learn about the extant historical
sites important to Black Portsmouth—including the surprise revelation of an African
burial ground in October 2003—as well as the extraordinary efforts being made
to preserve remnants of the city’s early Black heritage
$19.95
University of New Hampshire/University Press of New England 312 pp. 56 illus. 7 x 10"
Calendar
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...
SEACOAST BOOKS
