by Patricia Pereira
3/26/2017

What was life like for African-Americans who were enslaved in Colonial New England?  (There were also free African Americans who lived in the colonies.)

In observance of Black History Month, Holliston Historical Society will offer a free, illustrated talk entitled: “Northern Slavery in the Pre-Revolutionary Period:  the Royall House and Slave Quarters Medford.”  The program will be presented in the meeting room of the Asa Whiting House at 547 Washington Street. Tom Lincoln, Executive Director of The Royall House and Slave Quarters Museum, introduces this 18th century historic site focused on slavery in pre-revolutionary Massachusetts, particularly in the Boston environs.

From 1737 to 1775, this National Historic site was home to the Royalls, the largest slave-holding family in Massachusetts, and to the enslaved African Americans who made the Royalls family's lavish way of life possible.  Architecture, furnishings, and archaeological artifacts bear witness to the unique and intertwined stories of wealth and bondage, set against the backdrop of America’s quest for independence.  The Slave Quarters is the only remaining such structure in the northern United States, and the Royall House is among the finest colonial-era buildings in New England.  More information is available at http://www.royallhouse.org.

There is no admission charge, and refreshments will be served following the program. Non-members of the Holliston Historical Society are welcome to attend.

March 26, 2017 @ 2:30 PM            457 Washington Street, Holliston