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Slavery in Sudbury (including modern-day Wayland)


Two 18th century enslaved persons, Cuff and Hagar Noyes, lived here.

Watch a VIDEO of this program here. Sunday, March 21, 2 pm – Slavery in New England is often overlooked because the general thought is that it was confined to the South.  Jane Sciacca will dispel this myth by examining slavery and enslaved people in colonial Sudbury (modern day Wayland and Sudbury).  She will shed light on incidents and attitudes that typify slave experiences here as well as in the rest of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the wider area of New England.  This is an opportunity to broaden our knowledge of an important subject that has had too little attention for too long.

*Register to receive the Zoom link via email on the 21st.
Jane Sciacca is well known in Wayland and beyond for her distinct ability to enliven historical events and places for all to understand and enjoy.  She has provided innumerable programs for the Wayland Historical Society and the National Park Service.  Jane worked as an Interpretive National Park Ranger for twenty years and specialized in slavery and abolition and 19th century American Literature. She also wrote several guidebooks and children’s books for the National Park Service.

Jane’s research skills are impeccable. Members of the Wayland Historical Society have benefited from her expertise as the Society’s president (2003-2011), Curator (2018-2019) and Lecturer on Lydia Maria Child, Women’s Suffrage and many other topics.  She also chaired the Wayland Historical Commission for a number of years. Jane and her family have lived in Wayland for over fifty years.

Presented by the Wayland Historical Society and the Wayland Free Public Library.