It’s no secret that New Bedford played a critical role in the Underground Railroad in the years leading up to the Civil War.
New Bedford Historical Society President Lee Blake and UMass Dartmouth history professor Timothy Dale Walker have done important new research fleshing out just how critical the city’s role was, both in the leaders who thought and worked here, and the city’s role as a major port where formerly enslaved people came.
Blake’s work on New Bedford’s leadership during the abolition movement has led the way for the soon-to-be-opened Abolition Row Park and Walker’s work on the study and exhibit Sailing to Freedom has shed new light on the large role maritime escape to ports like New Bedford played.
Blake and Walker joined New Bedford Light columnist Jack Spillane for the latest episode of The Chat. Watch their fascinating and illuminating conversation.
Mitchell on his goals for the city, the budget, and immigration enforcement
In an hour-long one-on-one with The Light, the mayor hit on everything from education to wind to police to standing up for New Bedford.
Sheriff Heroux at the halfway point: ‘There’s still work I want to do at the jail’
If you missed the hour-long discussion with the Bristol County sheriff, we’ve got the full Chat available. He said while he has made progress, he is “not claiming mission accomplished.”
Remaking The Zeiterion was ‘a big mountain to climb’
Just how did the folks behind the scenes pull off a $37 million restoration? And what can the community look forward to from The Z?