Research BIPOC History is an evolving, community-driven project dedicated to recognizing and honoring the lives of Black and Indigenous people who resided in and around present-day Bristol, RI between 1680 and the Civil War. This population includes enslaved African Americans, free African Americans who established the community of New Goree, and enslaved and free Native Americans from the Pokanoket and Narragansett tribes living in the Sowams and Potumtuk regions – now known as East Bay, RI, and southeastern Massachusetts.
Our project aims to engage the public in a deeper understanding of these Black and Indigenous communities by 1) making primary source documents and ongoing research efforts about these communities accessible to the public 2) listening to and learning from descendants of these communities 3) partnering with community stakeholders to celebrate and serve these communities.
RBH Projects
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The Timeline
A 56-foot fabric banner visualizing Bristol's enslaved population with names of enslaved individuals.
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The Database
Retrieving the legacies of enslaved individuals through perusing historical documents.
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Mapping The Enslaved
Placing the enslaved's locations into the town's landscape to reflect Bristol's history with slavery.
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New Goree
Investigating Bristol's Black community that descended from the town's enslaved residents.
Say Their Names: An Act of Love Through Lettering
Say Their Names was an intimate, BIPOC-affirming evening of art-making and remembrance. Sharing food, music, and storytelling in his studio, artist Jacques Bidon guided the group in creating bold, colorful relief prints to recognize and lift up free and enslaved people of color who resided in and around present-day Bristol, RI between 1680 and the Civil War.
It has been a week since the event took place, and it is safe to say that everyone on the RBH team is still in awe of the magical evening we had in Jacques’ studio. We would like to thank him again for cultivating a community within his incredible space, and everyone who participated with us.
This event was sponsored by a Springboard Grant through the Tufts University Office of the Vice Provost for Research.
For more pictures from the event, please click on the link below!