Located at 223 Water Street, Exeter, NH
Exeter had the highest percentage of Black residents in NH in the first US census, at nearly 5%. Close to a dozen Black Revolutionary War veterans made Exeter their home upon their return from the War. They raised families and are a strong presence for nearly 60 years. They veterans got their military pensions in the building that is not the American Independence Museum. Black citizens attended integrated schools. One of these citizens, James M. Whitfield, became a nationally known Abolitionist poet. Several Black merchants lived above their downtown shops for two generations. Two merchants became quite wealthy. This historic community began to fade, however, as the Civil War neared.
Unveiling Ceremony
A new pocket-park honoring Exeter’s Black Revolutionary War soldiers, their families, and the community they lived in for over one hundred years, will be the site of a Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire commemorative marker. The unveiling ceremony will be on Saturday, May 4th at 10am. This new pocket-park will be located at 223 Water Street at the American flagpole, directly across from the American Independence Museum.
Exeter had the highest percentage of Black residents in NH in the first US census, at nearly 5%. Close to a dozen Black Revolutionary War veterans made Exeter their home upon their return from the War. They raised families and are a strong presence for nearly 60 years. They veterans got their military pensions in the building that is not the American Independence Museum. Black citizens attended integrated schools. One of these citizens, James M. Whitfield, became a nationally known Abolitionist poet. Several Black merchants lived above their downtown shops for two generations. Two merchants became quite wealthy. This historic community began to fade, however, as the Civil War neared.
The Black Heritage Trail of NH and Exeter’s “pocket-park” committee invite you to witness what promises to be a moving acknowledgement of our history. Brief words will be given by representatives from the Black Heritage Trail, the Exeter Select Board, and Historian Barbara Rimkunas. Representatives from many other local organizations will be in attendance. This event is funded by the profits from RM Allen’s local mystery book series. Limited seating is available. Refreshments to follow the ceremony.
After the ceremony, attendees are invited to tour the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern in a special open house in honor of these dozen Black Revolutionary soldiers, including Pvt. Jude Hall whose name is engraved on their granite memorial staircase.
Schedule of Events:
10:00am - Welcome - Niko Papakonstantis, Chair of the Exeter select board
10:05am - Welcome - JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director, Black Heritage Trail of NH
10:10am - History and Remarks - Barbara Rimkumas, Exeter Historical Society
10:20am - Unveiling - JerriAnne Boggis, Black Heritage Trail of NH and Barbara Rimkumas, Exeter Historical Society
10:30am - Song - Rev. Robert Thompson, Former Black Heritage Trail of NH Board President
Refreshments to follow.
BHTNH marker committee: Jody Fernald, Erin Moulton, Stephanie Seacord, Courtney Marshall, Eric Aldrich, and Barbara Ward, with Dariya Steele - BHTNH Marker Coordinator
Exeter Pocket Park Committee: Barbara Rimkunas - Exeter Historical Society, Jennifer Carr - American Independence Museum, Maura Fay - Heritage Commission, David Short - Swasey Parkway Trustee, Jennifer Martel - Landscape Architect, Pat Yosha - Racial Unity Team, Daryl Brown - former Select Board rep, and Renay Allen, organizer.
