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RI Slave Medallion dedication at Smith’s Castle
The dedication of a RI Slave Medallion at Smith’s Castle will take place Saturday, October 10th from 10 to 11am. Smith’s Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive in North Kingstown,.
The event features remarks by RI Slave History Medallions (RISHM) director Charles Roberts, Smith’s Castle Vice-President and Education Committee chairperson, Robert A. Geake and members of the education committee.
A blessing of the land in the original Narragansett language will be given by Loren Spears of the
Tomaquag Museum, in Exeter, RI. The Mixed Magic Gospel Exult Choir will perform spiritual tributes. Members of Rhode Island’s First Black Regiment will honor the enslaved Patriots with a musket salute.
This program is made possible by the generous donations of the RI Slave History Medallions organization, the Friends of Smith’s Castle, and Preserve RI.
The Installation Ceremony will acknowledge the enslaved laborers who lived, worked and died on the property over the course of 150 years. Roger Williams built a trading post on this site in 1637 to trade with the Narragansetts after receiving the land from the tribe. Slaves were then brought to the Castle from the Caribbean by Richard Smith Jr. in the 1650’s and continued to be accrued during the plantation era, serving the Updike family until their relinquishment of the property in 1812.
A large slave burial ground was found on this property. It held up to 200 graves by the close of the 18th century.
The event will follow Rhode Island’s coronavirus safety protocols for outdoor events. Digital temperatures will be taken before admission to the venue, and names, phone numbers, and email addresses will be taken by volunteers as a precaution for contract tracing. Come early to assure a safe experience for all. Come early to assure a safe experience for all. Attendees are being asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, if desired. The event is free.
“Let us use history to inspire us to push a country forward, to help us believe that all
things are possible, and to demand a country live up to its stated ideals,” said Lonnie Bunch, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
For more information at: www.RISHM.org or call 401-339-3035.
Charles & his wonderful crew are doing a wonderful job of raising the hidden curtain on slavery in Rhode Island. And in this difficult historical moment it is all the more important that the history of slavery get spotlighted for Rhode Islanders as they get ready to vote on remove-ing the shameful word/ Plantation as part of our state name.