June 26 | 6:30pm | 213 Water Street | Free
Join the Seaport Museum and the Sandy Ground Historical Society for a fascinating exploration of one of New York City’s earliest free Black communities and the maritime industry that helped it thrive.
Presented by the Director of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, Julie Moody Lewis, this special lecture will examine the lives of free Black oystermen and their families during the decades before the Emancipation Proclamation. Through stories, historical context, and objects brought from the Society’s collection, you will gain a deeper understanding of what liberty and freedom looked like in a maritime city at a time when slavery had been abolished in New York but remained legal in much of the United States.
The program highlights the history of Sandy Ground, a community on Staten Island that grew rapidly in the 1840s when free Black families migrated north from Snow Hill, Maryland. Facing increasingly restrictive laws that limited African American participation in Maryland’s oyster industry, these families sought new opportunities in the oyster-rich waters of Staten Island’s Prince’s and Raritan Bays, where they established a thriving community rooted in maritime labor, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
Presented in partnership with the Sandy Ground Historical Society and connected to the Museum’s exhibition The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation, which includes a First State Department Printing of the Emancipation Proclamation on view. This program offers a powerful perspective on freedom, opportunity, and the lived experiences of Black New Yorkers during a pivotal period in American history.
Preregistration is encouraged. Walkups will be accommodated as possible. Before the program, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, attendees are invited to explore The Promise of Liberty and view this extraordinary document alongside other foundational treasures that shaped the nation. Exhibition admission is included with your free event ticket.
About Sandy Ground Historical Society
The Sandy Ground Historical Society Library & Museum preserves and shares the history of the oldest continuously inhabited free Black community in the United States. Founded in 1828 by free Black men Moses and Silas Harris, Sandy Ground became a thriving farming and maritime community and played a vital role in the Underground Railroad. Known historically as Harrisville, Africa, and Little Africa, it was also called Sandy Ground due to the sandy terrain, and it stands as a powerful symbol of independence and cultural impact.
Acknowledgements
The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation and accompanying events are organized in cooperation with Sail4th 250 and made possible through the generous support of Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin and his civic engagement initiative Griffin Catalyst.
Additional support for this exhibition and Sail4th 250 is provided by Bulova and Jefferson’s Bourbon.
Plan Your Visit
We look forward to welcoming you! Before your visit, please review the Visitor Guide and Frequently Asked Questions. You’ll find helpful information on ticketing and discounts, planning a family visit, directions and accessibility at each of our historic sites, the visitor code of conduct, what is and isn’t permitted across the Museum campus, tips for using technology during your visit, and more.
Ready for more?
Head over to our Programs and Events page to see what else is happening at the Museum. Sign up for an upcoming talk, learn more about visiting Wavertree, or explore our virtual offerings.