Last Friday marked the opening of “From Sea to Shining Sea: Whalers of the African Diaspora,” a collaborative exhibition at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum (200 Main St.) and developed by Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, executive director and chief curator of the Eastville Community Historical Society.
Exploring the often overlooked experiences, contributions and impact of African Americans on the whaling industry, the summer-long exhibit runs through Sept. 6 and will contain interpretive displays, historic artifacts and contemporary artwork, all telling the stories of Black whalers who helped shape Sag Harbor’s storied maritime past.
“This exhibition celebrates forgotten captains and uplifts various ancillary and supporting industry work that was a foundation of the whaling era,” said Dr. Georgette Grier-Key in a press release from the museum. “It gives me great joy to see this exhibition mounted at the premiere Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum.”
According to digital travel and cultural guide Soul of America, nearly a third of all the whalers throughout Sag Harbor were people of African descent. Unbeknownst to many, a great number of free Black mariners (who were never slaves) resided there, initially settling, along with Native Americans like Shinnecock and Montaukett, in the Eastville section of Sag Harbor. Between 1820 and 1850 alone, hundreds of black and mixed-race men served on whaling ships departing from Sag Harbor, with most participating in the maritime industry for the better wages, skill acquisition and independence, compared to agricultural labor happening on land.
“We are honored to partner with the Eastville Community Historical Society and Dr. Georgette Grier-Key to present this important exhibition and celebrate the diverse experiences that have long characterized the maritime and whaling industries,” said Jaime Karbowiak, executive director of the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum. “We look forward to continuing our collaborative work to preserve and share stories that enrich and deepen our understanding of our community’s shared history.”
