NB Historical Society – The New Bedford Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the heritage of people of color in New Bedford, MA

SAILING TO FREEDOM: MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Sailing to Freedom highlights little-known stories and describes the less-understood maritime side of the Underground Railroad, including the impact of African Americans’ paid and unpaid waterfront labor.
Abolition Row Park
breaking ground this spring
“I now find that I could have landed in no other part of the United States, where I should have found a more striking and gratifying contrast to the condition of the free people of color in Baltimore, than I found here in New Bedford….Here in New Bedford, it was my good fortune to see a pretty near approach to freedom on the part of the colored people.”

Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)

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The New Bedford Historical Society’s President, Lee Blake sits down with host Jim Phillips of Townsquare Sunday discussing New Bedford’s Historic District. March 2021

Listen Now

How New Bedford shaped Frederick Douglass, and how he then shaped the nation!

Quick Historical Links

Massmoments.org – An Electronic Almanac of Massachusetts History

The Black Past – An Online Reference Guide to African American History

Mass Memory Road Show – Gallery of Family and Community History in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Underground Railroad related:
www.nps.gov – National Parks Service
www.davidrugglescenter.org

SAILING TO FREEDOM: MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Abolition Row Park

Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)

Listen

How New Bedford shaped Frederick Douglass, and how he then shaped the nation!

Quick Historical Links

Help support the New Bedford Historical Society
continue its mission and bring value to our community.

NBHS BOARD PORTAL

SAILING TO FREEDOM: MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Abolition Row Park

Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)

Listen

How New Bedford shaped Frederick Douglass, and how he then shaped the nation!

Quick Historical Links

Help support the New Bedford Historical Society continue its mission and bring value to our community.

NBHS BOARD PORTAL

Help support the New Bedford Historical Society
continue its mission and bring value to our community.