Black History Month Events at DCR Properties

February is Black History Month
historic yellow house

Dillaway- Thomas House, Roxbury MA

Exhibit: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad

Daily, through March 18, 8:30AM – 3:30PM

Fall River Heritage State Park

100 Davol Street, Fall River, MA

Visitor Center

Lewis Hayden was an abolitionist, businessperson, lecturer, and politician. A self-emancipated man, he stood at the center of a struggle for dignity and equal rights in nineteenth century Boston after living in nearby New Bedford. His story remains an inspiration. For more information call 508-675-5759 Ext 0.

This exhibit is on loan from the Commonwealth Museum in Boston.

Films: Fall River Films

Daily, available upon request

Fall River Heritage State Park

100 Davol Street, Fall River, MA

Visitor Center

We are playing some of our favorite films celebrating Fall River. Each film highlights a specific theme. Appropriate for viewers age 8+. All films are also available on request. For more information call 508-675-5759 Ext 0.

  • Industry - Fabric of Fall River (30 mins)
  • Heroes - Thomas Hudner Videos (30 mins)
  • Abolitionists - Safe Houses: the Underground Railroad (20 min)
  • Maritime - The Fall River Line (57 mins)
  • Play - Lincoln Park Remembered (45 min)

Lunch and Learn: Telling the Stories of Runaways- And How the New Bedford and Fall River Communities Helped Them Thrive

Friday, February 13, 12:00PM – 1:30PM

Fall River Heritage State Park

100 Davol Street, Fall River, MAMeet inside Visitor Center

Join Park Ranger Rufai Shardow from New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park for a powerful Lunch and Learn exploring the history of the local Underground Railroad. The Railroad a loosely connected network of people from diverse backgrounds who risked their lives to help enslaved individuals escape to freedom, right here in Fall River and New Bedford. For more information call 508-675-5759 Ext 0.

Presented by the Bristol Black Collective, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and DCR.

Community Kwanzaa Sewing Workshop

Wednesday, February 18, 12:00PM – 3:00PM

Fall River Heritage State Park

100 Davol Street, Fall River, MA

Meet inside Visitor Center

Join us for an interactive and festive experience as we celebrate the Kwanzaa principle of Ujima (collective work and responsibility). Learn sewing and embroidery techniques while creating a specially designed table runner. Supplies are limited. For more information call 508-675-5759 Ext 0.

This program is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), Mass Humanities in partnership with DCR and the Big Business Network.

The Brave and the Bold: The Story of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment

Saturday, February 21, 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Fall River Heritage State Park

100 Davol Street, Fall River, MA

Meet inside Visitor Center

Celebrate local Black history through a family legacy. Learn more about the courage of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment; Black and Indigenous heroes of the American Revolutionary War. Jason Roomes – a proud descendant – will be presenting. For more information call 508-675-5759 Ext 0.

This program is presented by the Bristol Black Collective in collaboration with DCR. Meet in the Theater.

StoryWalk® “Dream Street” by Tricia Elam and illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Daily, 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Roxbury Heritage State Park

183 Roxbury Street, Boston, MA

Grounds of Roxbury Heritage State Park

Visit “Dream Street” where everyone is special and children believe their dreams will come true! This magical story celebrates the Roxbury neighborhood where the author, Tricia Elam Walker and her cousin, illustrator Ekua Holmes, grew up. Self-guided. Walk along the grounds of Roxbury Heritage State Park while reading this magical story together.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Dillaway-Thomas House Guided Tours

Wednesdays – Sundays, 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM & 3:00PM

Roxbury Heritage State Park

183 Roxbury Street, Boston, MA

Meet inside the Dillaway-Thomas House

Join DCR staff on a 30-minute tour that highlights the stories, events, people, and objects of the Dillaway-Thomas House. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Please contact us to schedule group tours. For more information, please call (857) 399-1225.

Community Conversation

Roxbury Heritage State Park

183 Roxbury Street, Boston, MA

Meet inside the Dillaway-Thomas House

To celebrate Black History Month, the Dillaway-Thomas House will feature impactful historical projects and movies that explore various facets of the African American experience. Each screening will be followed by a community discussion to delve deeper into the themes presented. Suitable for teens and adults. For more information, please call (857) 399-1225.

Black History in Roxbury

Host: Marlon Solomon, African American Academy

Sunday, February 1, 11:00AM – 2:00PM

An opening Black History Month community conversation focusing on the deep roots of Black history in Roxbury. The program includes an exclusive screening of Redline Narratives: The Lost Cultural Hubs of Boston followed by a community discussion with the documentary producer.

Roxbury Black Wall Street

Hosts: Marie Firmin & Jaymes Levesque

Sunday, February 8, 11:00AM – 2:00PM

An exclusive conversation with Marie Firmin exploring the history, legacy, and economic impact of Roxbury’s Black business district.

Crispus Attucks and Blacks in the American Revolution

Hosts: Richard Futrell & Samuel Pierce

Sunday, February 15, 1:00PM – 4:00PM

A historical discussion examining the role of Crispus Attucks and African Americans in the American Revolution, with special attention to Roxbury’s Revolutionary-era significance.

The Juneteenth Story
Hosts: Scott Haithe

Sunday, February 22, 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Learn the story behind the Juneteenth flag’s creation and meaning.

“Unity in the Community”

Saturday, February 28, 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Celebrate the closing of Black History Month at the Dillaway-Thomas House with resource tables, music, and community activities.

Contact

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback