For many of us, the Fourth of July is a joyous holiday filled with parades, fireworks and picnics with loved ones. The pomp and circumstance surrounding America’s birthday can often lead us to forget the sacrifice and efforts of our forefathers who fought to get us to where we are today. The signers of the Declaration of Independence come to mind, like Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin. But what about the others – women, children, and men of color, whose names aren’t included in our grade school history books? How are their stories represented? And how do their stories help to inform our present and future?
Since the murder of George Floyd and the racial riots that followed, more organizations have crafted statements in support of historically under resourced and marginalized community members. Teak Media’s client, Old North Illuminated (ONI), which operates Old North Church & Historic Site, was already in the process of addressing its own hard history and completely reshape the narrative around the 300-year-old institution to more accurately reflect the stories, struggles, and hopes of all Americans. In 2019, the nonprofit started by asking the very same questions posed above.
What about the others?
Like many historic sites in the Northeast, Old North Church sits at a paradoxical intersection of freedom and “unfreedom.” To many, the steeple is an icon of American liberty and independence. Yet, the church was built in part with the proceeds of human trafficking and enslavement, which filled the coffers of early congregants who worshiped according to social hierarchy in a neighborhood where successive waves of immigrants have come to pursue the American dream.
In June 2022, Dr. Jaimie D. Crumley joined ONI for a year-long research fellowship to recover stories of Black and Indigenous congregants in 18th and 19th-century New England. She, and a small team of interns, spent their days poring over archival records at the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Boston Athenaeum, and other libraries to find those who have often been excluded in the church’s broader historical narrative.
How are their stories represented?
The answer is that they really weren’t. Now, some of the stories Dr. Crumley uncovered are told in a new virtual video series launched by the historic site last year, Illuminating the Unseen, and onsite permanent exhibit, “Sparking Revolutions: Lanterns, Leadership, and the Evolving Legacy of Old North Church.” Her findings also helped to inform new signage, an audio tour, and classroom enrichment materials for schools nationwide.
Additionally, this summer the historic site is hosting the second season of its first original play, “Revolution’s Edge,” which follows three men who share a faith but have very different beliefs concerning the right path ahead for themselves, their families, and the colonies. Their conversation explores the intersection of faith and freedom on the edge of the American Revolution.
How do their stories help to inform our present and future?
ONI believes museums and historic sites have a responsibility to tell stories that more accurately portray the experiences of all Americans to a create the more just and perfect union that our forefathers promised. Thanks to the nonprofit’s efforts to share untold stories of the past, visitors will not only learn the seminal story of Paul Revere’s ride and the events leading up to the Battles of Lexington and Concord which is covered in our grade school history books, but they will also be inspired to consider the roles of patriotism, sacrifice, hope, and active citizenship in their lives and communities, and how their collective action, big and small, can create meaningful change. On July 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Old North Church & Historic Site will celebrate Independence Day with a one-day family friendly event. To learn more, visit: www.oldnorth.com.
Old North is a great example of an organization that is not shying away from its past but rather leveraging knowledge as power to better inform our future. For organizations looking to pursue more inclusive storytelling, Teak Media can help. Check out our list of services here.
Visitors exploring Old North Church during the historic site’s 2023 Independence Day celebration. Photo credit: Old North Illuminated.
