"Exploring Black and Indigenous Connecticut Maritime Experiences" with Dr. Akeia deBarros Gomes
Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Dr. Akeia deBarros Gomes, Senior Curator of Maritime Social Histories at Mystic Seaport Museum, will explore African and Indigenous maritime skill sets and worldviews before “America.” She will share stories from local Indigenous and Black perspectives to demonstrate how Africans, African Americans and Indigenous peoples contributed to maritime New England, including the Connecticut River area.
In her previous position, Akeia was the Curator of Social History at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She was raised in Newport, RI, and received a Ph.D. and M.A. in Anthropology with a focus in Archaeology from the University of Connecticut.
Akeia became interested in archaeology at the age of 8. She says, “I feel like everyone wanted to be an archaeologist growing up, but I never grew out of it.” We have Indiana Jones to thank for her passion for the subject.
Date: April 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Location: East Haddam Historical Society & Museum, 264 Town Street
