The Sippican Historical Society’s 2015 lecture series continues on Thursday, April 16 with the topic, From the Archipelago to America: Cape Verdeans on the South Coast, featuring speaker Marilyn Halter. To truly appreciate the history of Marion and the surrounding area, it’s critical to explore the Cape Verdean experience here. Immigration to the South Coast area began when whalers from New Bedford first began travelling to the Cape Verdean islands in the 1790s, returning with crewmen to work on the whaling ships. Once on the South Coast, in addition to working – and excelling – in the maritime industry, many Cape Verdeans found work as shore side laborers, textile and cordage factory workers and agricultural workers, particularly in the cranberry industry. As employment opportunities and communities continued to expand, so did the local Cape Verdean population. Today, Massachusetts enjoys – by far – the largest population of Cape Verdeans in the United States.
The evening’s lecture will explore the important connections between the South Coast and Cape Verde, the unique characteristics of Cape Verdean culture, and its history and legacy here on the South Coast. A professor at Boston University, Ms. Halter’s scholarship spans the fields of history, sociology and anthropology. Her published works on the Cape Verdean experience include Between Race and Ethnicity: Cape Verdean American Immigrants, 1860-1965 and The Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cape Verde (with Richard Lobban). Areas of specialization include the study of immigrants of African descent, New England and Boston immigrant and ethnic history, as well as the relationship of commerce and culture.
The presentation, to be held at the Marion Music Hall (164 Front Street) at 7:00 pm, is offered free to the public, with no reservations required. Ample parking is available across the street at Island Wharf. For more information, contact the Sippican Historical Society at 508-748-1116.