EverythiungWestport - Westport in Brief February 27, 2011

Westport in Brief

EverythingWestport.com

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Quick Article Index . . .

Pay it forward. Paul Cuffe remembered.

EverythingWestport.com

Saturday February 26, 2011

There were no shovels in attendance at Johnny Cake Hill Saturday afternoon. Even so, New Bedford Whaling Museum officials and local and state dignitaries celebrated the groundbreaking and dedication of Paul Cuffe Park.

An existing outdoor gallery space located on the southeast corner of Johnny Cake Hill and Union Street will eventually turn into a plaza in honor of Paul Cuffe and all seamen of color. Paul Cuffe is Westport's most celebrated resident.

Over 150 guests, Cuffe descendants, and officials gathered in the Whaling Museum's auditorium to participate in a dedication ceremony designating the existing 'outdoor gallery space' as Paul Cuffe Park, slated to open in September of this year.

"We will break ground this summer, and by fall we should have quite a resplendent park," New Bedford Whaling Museum President and CEO James Russell said.

"The seed for this effort was germinated in 2009 with the 250th celebration of Paul Cuffe's birthday in Westport on June 15, 2009, complete with a rededication of his monument, and at our symposium (October 3, 2009) here in this auditorium where local and national scholars explored the many aspects of Captain Cuffe's relationships with the black and white community," Russell said.

"Most exciting and disturbing to me is an opportunity to fill and round out the record and tell the story of this city's amazing history," said Russell. "We and the New Bedford Historical Society are the great custodians of New Bedford's whaling history. The history of Paul Cuffe is international, yet we have not told it well."

"The existing 'open gallery space' at the southeast foot of Johnny Cake Hill has had all the benches removed, and new mulch put down," James Lopes, VP of Programs at the Whaling Museum said. "We are now planning what the new park will look like."

"Today we break ground for the Paul Cuffe Park," Lopes said.

"Other early founders' names are on our streets, buildings and parks, but not Cuffe's," Lopes added. "The Paul Cuffe Park will be at the entrance to the 13 city block New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park."

From the left: James Lopes, VP of Programs at the Whaling Museum; Jen Nersesian, Superintendent of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park; New Bedford State Representative Mark C. Montigny; and New Bedford Historical Society's Lee Blake.

Jen Nersesian, Superintendent of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, said that "Our history shapes what we are today. And today we honor Paul Cuffe."

"By placing his name in public view, we insure his place in history," Nersesian said. "We hope to make his name a national lexicon with this park's dedication today," she said.

New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang wants to "pay it forward."

"In 2009 when this great leader was identified, it was easy to examine his importance both locally and nationally," said New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang. "But his accomplishments and inspiration were not carried forward."

"Captain Paul Cuffe shaped the dialogue locally and nationally, and we need to continue that forward." - New Bedford Mayor, Scott W. Lang.

Paul Cuffe was born on January 17, 1759, the second son of Kofi Slocum, and Ruth Moses, Paul rose from slavery, "eventually purchasing his personal liberty." He achieved a social, political, and economic status almost unknown to "persons of color" in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He is best known for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures.

Read more about the life of Paul Cuffe and his struggle for the right to vote.

On October 3, 2009, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Paul Cuffe (1759 – 1817), a symposium of local and national scholars explored the many aspects of Captain Cuffe. Each session included a panel discussion and time for questions and comments with a particular focus on:

· Paul Cuffe and relationships with the black and white community.

· Cuffe’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures.

· Sierra Leone - Rise to be a people.

· Contemporary relevance of Cuffe and his legacy.

Pictured left is Lavonne Leslie of the African American Heritage and Culture Society speaking as a panel member at the 2009 Cuffe Symposium in New Bedford.

Click here to review the symposium program.

Cuffe's monument rededicated.

Earlier in 2009 the Westport Historical Society and New Bedford Historical Society marked the 250th anniversary of Paul Cuffee’s birth by rededicating his monument in front of the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House in Westport.

"He can reasonably be designated the most illustrious resident of Westport in its history." - Jenny O'Neil, Director, Westport Historical Society.

"On June 13th, to mark this special anniversary, the Cuffe monument was rededicated. This was an opportunity for the community to reflect upon and recognize the important legacy of Paul Cuffe. The event included speakers representing the sponsoring organizations, the descendants of Paul Cuffe and the Quakers. There was also a display of Cuffe-related materials," WHS Director Jenny O'Neil said .

Click here to read more and view photos on the monument rededication.

Today, when looking backwards through the portal of time, it isn't easy to understand how Paul Cuffe's peers would allow this most distinguished man to nearly disappear into the dustbins of history.

"Paul Cuffe purchased his personal liberty through thrift and perseverance, and through his industrial pursuits using his very substantial intellect," said Russell. "Today we're taking steps to insure the continuation of his story to future generations. It's up to us to continue his legacy."

James Russell is pictured left.

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