|
Tale of African-American Slave in Waterbury
It is a story that was a long time in the telling—over 200 years—but the Mattatuck Museum, in a new permanent exhibit, is unveiling the fascinating and tragic story of Fortune, an enslaved African-American who lived in Waterbury during the late 1700s.
The skeletal remains of a man were on display at the Mattatuck Museum for almost fifty years during the 20th century. But who was he? What was his story? These and many other questions, both historical and ethical, will be answered and posed with the opening of the new exhibit "Fortune's Story" on Saturday, March 29 at noon.
The man was Fortune, an African-American slave owned by Dr. Preserved Porter, a prominent bonesetter (now known as an orthopedic surgeon) and leader in the Waterbury of the late 1700s. Upon Fortune's death under mysterious circumstances, Dr. Porter had preserved his skeletal remains, to use as a teaching tool. The skeleton, which had remained in Dr. Porter's family for generations, was given to the Mattatuck Historical Society in 1933 by Dr. Alexius Porter Law McGlannan, a descendent of Dr. Porter's. The skeleton was known by generations of Waterburians as "Larry," because that name had been written on the skull sometime in the 19th century.
Though a popular exhibit, in 1970 museum officials removed the skeleton from public display out of a shared respect for the deceased and the rising social consciousness of the community. But the historical significance of Fortune and his story begged to be told. It has finally been unearthed thanks to many years of scholarly research and the sophistication of today's scientific and diagnostic tools. Included in the exhibit's multi-media presentation is an eerily accurate representative image of what Fortune looked like while alive, made possible through the use of this advanced technology.
Who was Fortune? Where there other slaves in Waterbury? Did he have a family? And what is the significance to this story for us today? These questions and more will be answered and raised in the compelling exhibit and the accompanying public programs, a listing of which follows.
• Sounds of Afrika will conduct a Libation Ceremony on Saturday at noon, in which homage is paid to the Ancestors and thanks are given to the Creator through a ritual pouring of water. Marilyn Nelson, Connecticut's Poet Laureate, will read "The Manumission Requiem," a memorial poem she wrote in honor and in commemoration of Fortune's life and death. Ms. Nelson is the author of Fields of Praise, which won the 1998 Poets Prize and was a finalist for the 1998 Marshall Poetry Prize, and the 1997 National Book Award; she is a professor of English at UConn, Storrs. Then Fortune's Story, featuring imagery of Fortune as he was in life, will be opened. Years of research by a team of archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and a forensic artist will enable all to see Fortune as he was in life—a strong, robust man.
• The voice of Frederick Douglass is the voice of triumph against the inhumanity of slavery. Douglass escaped slavery to lead the anti-slavery movement as one the most effective leaders of his time. Historical role player and storyteller Guy Peartree brings the power of this great man to life on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Other notable African-Americans included in Peartree's repertoire include George Washington Carver, Lewis Hayden and William Craft.
• "So I'm telling you about my bones, about my lifeless skeleton that was used by my master for his anatomy school …" This is the voice of Fortune as created by Guy Peartree, who will present his compelling interpretation of Fortune's thoughts and feelings, bringing to life his tragic story in Let My Bones Speak for Themselves on Saturday at 7 p.m. How was Fortune seen by Dr. Porter and by children who visited the Mattatuck Museum? This commissioned performance will weave a narrative about life as a slave and about the unsung heroes who endured the challenges as anonymous slaves in American history.
• On Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. there will be an encore performance of Let My Bones Speak for Themselves by Guy Peartree. Following the performance, join historian Frank Mitchell and members of the Mattatuck Museum African-American History Project Committee for a question and answer session on the history of the 18th century African-American community in Waterbury. Frank Mitchell conducted the historical research for the Fortune Project. His essay, "My Body, My Right? Comfort, Fortune, Property and Humanity in Early Connecticut" describes the lives of Waterbury's 18th century African-American community through the probate records, diaries, bills and other documents in public collections throughout the state.
• On Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m., Peter Hinks, an Assistant Professor of History at Hamilton College, will describe the history of slavery in Connecticut and the regional differences in the work and lives of enslaved people depending on where they lived in the state. How were the circumstances of enslaved people different in sea towns such as New Haven or Hartford as compared to an isolated community like Waterbury? What rights did enslaved people have? Could they own property, buy their freedom, learn to read and write? How was northern slavery different from slavery in the south? Bring your questions, he's got answers. Then Warren Perry will show us the evidence in Fortune's bones that support the scientist's conclusions about Fortune's early years: his age, height, the kinds of work he did, and the injuries he suffered. Perry is Assistant Professor of Archaeology at Central Connecticut State University, and is the Assistant State Archeologist.
The Mattatuck Museum is located at 144 West Main St. in Waterbury; parking is located up Park Place in the gated lots. For more info call 203-753-0381, ext 10; or visit <www.MattatuckMuseum.org>.
|
|
