11/05/2025
This week, The Third Place had the privilege of hosting the BIPOC Elders Group, led by Leslie Hill, Professor Emeritus, Bates and Kathy Vezina, Maine Council on Aging at the Freeport Historical Society. Together, we explored the past and current research underway to recover the stories of the town’s Black residents and their enduring presence in Freeport’s history.
This gathering was more than a history lesson. It was an opportunity to take part in the process of discovery—uncovering the lives and legacies of people whose stories were often left out of the record. We are especially grateful to Eric C. Smith, Executive Director, and Audrey Wolfe, Collections & Education Manager, for their dedicated work to ensure that Black presence in Freeport’s historical record is known, valued, and preserved.
We also extend our thanks to Atlantic Black Box for helping to facilitate this connection and to Professor Marcelle Medford, Bates for her recent contributions to the research.
For Black communities in Maine, connecting with these histories builds a deeper sense of belonging. Knowing who came before us, where they lived, worked, and built community helps us understand our own place within the larger story of Maine.
Now more than ever, we must recover, preserve, and steward the histories of the cities and towns we call home. By engaging with our local historical societies, we help ensure that Maine’s story is told fully, truthfully, and with the richness it deserves.
If you or someone you know would like to join the BIPOC Elders Group, contact Kathy Vezina at [email protected].
