Explore African American history in New England and discover a little-known chapter of their story of slavery and freedom in America.

African Americans in Deerfield logo
Memorial Hall Museum and American Centuries present

African Americans
in Early Rural New England

Looking at the Evidence

primary sources Primary sources from Deerfield and beyond

For Teachers

lessons Lessons about African Americans in New England

Slavery in Deerfield during the 1704 Raid

1704 slavery explanation An explanation about slavery in colonial New England 1704 Parthena The life story of Parthena, an enslaved woman living in Deerfield during the attack of 1704 1704 Frank The life story of Frank, an enslaved man living in Deerfield during the attack of 1704

Who Lived Here?

map Mapping African American people in Old Deerfield

Seeing How it was Done

tool videos Video demonstrations of early American tools

Revealing Documents About Slavery

magic lens A bill of sale for a slave named Prince magic lens A bill of sale for a slave named Kate magic lens A complaint against slave Caesar for stealing

Three Centuries of African Americans

turns of the centuries exhibit A mini-exhibit of African Americans from 1680 - 1720 turns of the centuries exhibit A mini-exhibit of African Americans from 1780 - 1820 turns of the centuries exhibit A mini-exhibit of African Americans from 1880 - 1920

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