Slavery s legacy is written all over North Jersey, if you know where to look What to watch next
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New Jersey residents might like to think that, as Northerners, we don t share the South s brutal slave history.
We would be wrong. New Jersey was known as the slave state of the North, said Elaine Buck, who co-founded the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum in Hopewell with Beverly Mills in 2018.
The legacy of slavery is hidden in plain sight all over the map, in family names like Berkeley, Carteret, Beverwyck, Morris, Livingston and Schuyler, whose wealth and power was founded, in part, on slave labor.
We would be wrong. New Jersey was known as the slave state of the North, said Elaine Buck, who co-founded the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum in Hopewell with Beverly Mills in 2018.
The legacy of slavery is hidden in plain sight all over the map, in family names like Berkeley, Carteret, Beverwyck, Morris, Livingston and Schuyler, whose wealth and power was founded, in part, on slave labor.
In 1800, there were about 12,000 slaves in the state. By 1830, New Jersey was home to more than two-thirds of the entire slave population of the North.
Bergen County was the state s slaveholding center. Scholars estimate that by the late 1700s, enslaved people made up about 20% of Bergen s population and 40% of its labor force.
NEW YORK (WABC) For many African-Americans who are descendants of slaves, their lineage is often an enigma.
Now, two New Jersey women have unearthed a bit of history some never knew existed, and their investigation took them down a winding path of their own ancestry. African-American history is American history, SSAAM Executive Director Caroline Katmann said.
They say you can t really know where you re going unless you know where you have been. We do need to know, where did we come from, and how did we get here, Co-founder of SSAAM Elaine Buck said.
Questions that taunted Co-founder Beverly Mills and Buck to investigate their own family history, opening a gateway to stories they say were hidden for far too long.
Princeton hosts Black History Month events that connect, educate and celebrate
Emily Aronson, Office of Communications
Feb. 16, 2021 4:46 p.m.
Image from iStock
Black history is a part of all our histories. In recognition of Black History Month, Princeton University will host virtual conversations, classes, exhibits and educational resources that recognize the lives and achievements of Black people in the context of Princeton’s and the country’s history.
While many events were held earlier this month, the following is a list of Black history-related programs still to come. All events will take place virtually. If you would like to add your department’s upcoming event or ongoing program to this story, please email Emily Aronson in the Office of Communications.
The winners are recognized at a virtual ceremony earlier this year.
âThe biennial awards ceremony is an opportunity to thank our Historic Preservation and History Awards recipients for enhancing the countyâs quality of life,â said Freeholder Brian G. Gallagher, the Cultural & Heritage Commission liaison. âSomerset County is fortunate to have so many people and organizations that understand the long-term benefits of preserving our past.â
Following are the recipients:
Education And Leadership
The Friends advocate, educate and raise funds to support historic preservation in the borough.
Together with the Bernardsville Historic Preservation Advisory Council, they present exhibits; discuss local historic preservation efforts, historic properties and architects; and publish a free walking tour of historic downtown Bernardsville.