Book Description

From the docks of Portsmouth, where merchants engaged in the trans-Atlantic slave trade unloaded their cargo, to the northern border with Canada, where many escaping captives found their first moment of freedom, the Granite State holds a multitude of stories that mark the milestones of its complex history.For more than 300 years, the lives of African people and their descendants have been a part of New Hampshire's history. African-American history has long been hidden in the shadows even though Black lives have been intermixing with White lives in highly personal ways.The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire works to open hearts and minds to a deeper understanding of who we are as a collective and to recognize that we share a uniquely American heritage.Building on our success with the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail that started more than two decades ago, the new Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will connect the stories of New Hampshire's African heritage by documenting and making visible historic sites that testify to this rich history.Guided tours and public programs, along with educational materials and teacher workshops, will continue to be developed by the Black Heritage Trail to promote awareness of African-American culture and to honor all the people of African descent whose names may not have been included in previous town histories.As we celebrate a people's history of resilience, versatility and courage, we invite everyone to explore for themselves what our shared history means and bring that understanding into the present.