Presented in partnership with the Bristol Historical &Preservation Society, join us for an evening with Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, the curator of “Entwined” – an exhibit currently on display at the Mystic Seaport Museum.

“Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty and the Sea” explores Indigenous and African ties to the waterways of New England, called “The Dawnland.” The exhibition calls on visitors to think about history, water and spirituality in new ways. This presentation will give the audience a deep insight into that new way of thought.

Please register here to reserve your spot: Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty and the Sea

Scholars and museum professionals often tell maritime histories using Euro-Centric perspectives. The African, African-descended and indigenous maritime narratives are often outside of that focus. As the Senior Curator of Maritime Social Histories, Dr. de Barros Gomes began her preparation for the exhibit by gathering people of African and indigenous backgrounds and asking them a not-so-simple question: “How do we want to tell our history?” Dr. de Barros Gomes, a Newport native with a background in anthropology and African American history, brought her extensive experience to the project. And this past November the Newport Historical Society named her as the director of its new center for Black History, set to open at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House. The appointment marks a significant step in that organization’s efforts to highlight Newport’s diverse historical narrative.

The photo shown is “Wail on Whalers” – a portrait of Amos Haskins, an Aquinnah Wampanoag who rose to Captain on a whaling ship. Made from hairbeads strung on wire. Photo by Lynn Smith