On Thursday, February 23 the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC) presents a special Black History Month event, African-Americans as Militiamen During the American War of Independence. Dr. Robert Selig, an historian who specializes on the American Revolutionary War, will speak about the conditions within which militia service developed.
Historian Joe Becton (audio) will present his research on the history of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Army. The 1st Rhode Island was known as the “Black Regiment.” The Rhode Island legislature, faced with dwindling recruitment numbers, extended enlistment (and freedom) to “able-bodied” slaves. In his research, Becton has identified 287 members of the unit.
The program will focus on Pennsylvania and Rhode Island in particular.
Additionally, Congressman Chaka Fattah, who serves as an Honorary Co-Chair on the FWWIC Advisory Council, will be recognized for his contributions to the creation of a new seven hundred mile National Historic Trail. In 2009, Congressman Fattah co-sponsored the legislation that created the trail, which runs from Boston, Massachusetts to Yorktown, Virginia.
Joseph DiBello, the National Park Service Superintendent for the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) National Historic Trail, will present the new brochures and maps at the FWWIC.
For more information, see the flyer below (a few clicks are necessary), or call 215-685-0723
