Since it was established in 1635, Concord has been the center of global historical attention. Much of this attention has focused on the literary contributions of the town’s leading citizens and authors, such as: Thoreau, Sanborn, Emerson, the Alcotts and so many more prolific individuals.
Equally, the nation’s identity is grounded in events unfolding in Concord, and documented by these same local authors. Without these authors we would not have access to some of the less well known, compelling events and individuals contributing to the “making” of Concord — fertile ground for democracy and freedom.
Concord’s role in the American Revolution and in the literary and philosophical ‘revolution’ of Transcendentalism has long been celebrated. Less well known, is the leadership that women of Concord provided to yet another revolution – the abolition of slavery in the United States
The Drinking Gourd Project is a newly formed Concord-based Non Profit organization focused on raising awareness of Concord’s African and Abolitionist history from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Our mission is to shine a light on this history and make it even more accessible to residents and visitors in a way that will add a new layer to our understanding of our past and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of Concord and its role in creating a diverse America.
Specific project goals include:
- educational programs
- maps and tours of the early African and Abolitionist sites
- establishment of the Robbins House Interpretive Center, thanks to the generous support of Concord’s Community Preservation Committee
- framed copies of a petition from Concord school children to free slave children together with Lincoln’s response, which hang in Concord’s three public elementary schools
- commemorating early African and African American home sites with stone benches
- providing engraved headstones for the unmarked graves of African Americans and Abolitionists
- fundraising events to promote and inform audiences about this aspect of Concord’s history
- and working clsely with many entities in town, including the schools, museums, town agencies and organizations.
The Robbins House Interpretive Center for raising awareness around Concord’s African and Abolitionist History has been generously supported by the Town of Concord Community Preservation Fund.
