Newburyport — Mayor Sean Reardon is proud to announce that the Newburyport Black History Initiative (NBHI) has been honored with the 2024 Leadership in History Award of Excellence from The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).
The AASLH, a national organization dedicated to supporting the history community, provides resources, professional development, advocacy, and research to over 5,500 members. This year, the association awarded 47 national accolades, with the Leadership in History Award being its highest honor for state and local history preservation and interpretation.
The Newburyport Black History Initiative received this prestigious recognition for its comprehensive project that includes the installation of high-quality interpretive signs throughout downtown Newburyport. One notable sign, titled “A Black Neighborhood in Historic Newburyport,” highlights significant sites such as “Guinea Village” and “Guinea Bridge.”
“This is really exciting for the Newburyport Black History Initiative to receive recognition at the national level. I am hoping this award will help further expand the spotlight we are shining on forgotten history,” said Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining. He expressed gratitude for the support from the AASLH and the community.
The NBHI aims to affirm Black history and belonging in Newburyport by bringing to light overlooked or forgotten stories and making them accessible to the public. The project features narratives of Black Americans from the pre-Revolutionary War era to the early 20th century, showcasing individuals such as domestic servants, mariners, barbers, soldiers, lawyers, and activists.
In addition to the interpretive signage, the initiative engages the community through a website, public events, indoor displays, lectures, tours, videos, articles, and enhancements to local burial grounds. The project is a collaborative effort involving the city’s planning department, historians, genealogists, writers, and educators, with a core team including Dr. Kabria Baumgartner from Northeastern University, Geordie Vining from Newburyport’s Office of Planning and Development, and writer/community organizer Cyd Raschke.
Mayor Reardon expressed his pride in the initiative, stating, “We are overjoyed to receive this national attention for this local initiative. I am very proud of the work that has been done by the Newburyport Black History Initiative to share stories that have been hidden for too long. To have the opportunity to amplify these voices to an even broader audience is a tremendous accomplishment.”
For more information about the NBHI, contact Geordie Vining, Senior Project Manager in Newburyport’s Planning Office, at (978) 465-4400 x6 or gvining@newburyportma.gov.
