WENHAM — The First Church in Wenham is hosting two events in the coming days to commemorate Black History Month this February.
The first event is with local author Robert Corcoran, who will present “Enslaved People & Wenham” on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in Holland Hall at First Church. He will share material from his book of the same name, providing an overview of Wenham’s 18th- and early 19th century history of enslavement.
Corcoran, who is a co-historian of the church, is descended from an enslaver who lived in Rhode Island in the 17th century and today lives in a house that was once owned by a Wenham enslaver. Publication of his book was supported in part by a grant from the Hamilton-Wenham Cultural Council. It will be available for purchase at barnesandnoble.com and for free online at archive.org.
“Black History Month is an important opportunity for the community to learn about our collective history,” the Rev. Sean Bendigo said. “Most people don’t realize that Wenham — like other towns in the area — has a history of enslavement. and most people don’t realize that dozens of Wenham’s enslaved people worshiped at the Wenham Congregational Church. We believe it’s important to recognize that history.”
The second event is a Service of Remembrance that First Church will hold on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. that will celebrate the memory of Wenham’s enslaved people. The service will include the reading of their names, which in most cases will be the first time in over two centuries that their names have been spoken in public, the church noted.
“It might seem odd to link the tragedy of enslavement with the celebratory nature of Black History Month,” said Bendigo. “But when we look at these former residents of our town, we see men and women who fell in love, married and had children. We find men who fought the British in the Revolutionary War. It’s time to recognize their accomplishments and contributions.”
Both events are free and open to the public. First Church is at the corner of Main and Arbor streets. For more information, call the church at 978-468-4900.