A Quest to Thrive: Economics of Slavery & Portsmouth’s Early Black Community

Walk in the footsteps of Exeter’s earlier generations and explore the racial history of the town -- the conflicts, concessions, and changes that have taken place over time and continue to shape its future. Learn about Exeter's legacy related to Atlantic slave trading and hear stories about African Americans who helped shape the town's history. Learning Exeter’s history can contribute to a richer community dialog about its present and future. Meeting Place: Exeter Town Hall | 10 Front St, Exeter. Sankofa…

Chattel slavery in Colonial America provided immense wealth and material culture to many European immigrants and their descendants in the Americas, as Portsmouth’s house museums bear witness. This tour brings into sharp focus an economic system dependent upon international and domestic slave traders for a constant supply of free labor, such as the captive African people and their descendants who, against the odds, created one of this country’s oldest Black communities. Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Angela Matthews