• Listen to special music and poetry performances including drumming by the African Community Education (ACE) group of Worcester, spoken word by Ashley Wonder, and gospel music
• Learn about the story of Kwaku Walker (sometimes referred to as Quock Walker) during a special presentation by Sean Osborne, co-founder of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (time TBD)
• Visit with Cardethia Moore of Waistbeads by Cardethia for a craft on the Common. Her waistbeads will also be available for sale.
• Take an “Uncomfortable Truths” walking tour

Did You Know? The Road to Freedom in Massachusetts

In 1781, Elizabeth Freeman (also known as Mum Bett) won her freedom from slavery in court. Elizabeth was born into slavery in approximately 1744. At some point, while enslaved in John Ashley’s household in Massachusetts, Elizabeth heard readings of the Declaration of Independence, the Sheffield Declaration, and the Massachusetts constitution, which all spoke of the equality of mankind. She then turned to attorney Theodore Sedgwick for help in fighting for her freedom in court. Sedgwick argued that since the Massachusetts constitution of 1780 stated “all men are born free and equal”, slavery was unconstitutional. The jury agreed with Sedgwick. After gaining her freedom from slavery in August of 1781, Elizabeth worked as a paid servant in Sedgwick’s household. She was eventually able to purchase a plot of land and her own house, where she lived with her daughter and grandchildren.

Several other enslaved persons in Massachusetts, such as Kwaku Walker (sometimes referred to as Quock Walker) also sued for their freedom around the same time. These cases were precursors to the 1783 decision that ended slavery in Massachusetts. By 1788, slavery was abolished in the state, though residents still benefitted economically and materially from the institution of slavery in the south.