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Retrieving the legacies of enslaved individuals through perusing historical documents.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.
Project Updates
Project Updates
The Timeline of Enslavement Receives Prestigious Recognition
We are excited to share that the Timeline of Enslavement in Bristol, RI has been been recognized by The American Association for State and Local History with an Award of Excellence, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation of state and local history. It is the first time in more than four years that a RI project has been honored.