In Honor of MLK Day: Maine Middle Passage Port Markers Presentation

Learn about Maine's connection to the transatlantic slave trade and the efforts underway to acknowledge and honor this often-overlooked history. Representatives from the Maine Middle Passage and Port Marker Ceremony Project will share the story of the Middle Passage—the forced journey that brought millions of captive Africans to the Americas—and discuss Maine's role in this history. The slideshow presentation will highlight the project's mission to educate the public, honor the resilience and contributions of Africans and their descendants, and promote understanding, healing, and justice. Attendees will also learn about plans to install a Port Marker in Kittery Point, the only documented landing site in Maine for enslaved Africans. Through images, historical research, and community stories, this 45-minute slide presentation offers an opportunity to explore an important chapter of Maine's past and the ongoing work to commemorate it. Maine’s first Middle Passage Port Marker will be located in Kittery, recognizing the town’s historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade. The marker is due to be installed in Spring of 2027. The two memorial plaques: - Cemetery: Located along the Piscataqua River across from the First Congregational Church. - Second Christian Church: Located in the Kittery Foreside neighborhood. Registration is recommended for this free event as seating is limited.