Goal – Research, disseminate and celebrate the history of diverse populations in communities we serve.
Action steps:
- Host an annual Juneteenth celebration to educate community members about the history and role of African Americans in our communities and celebrate Black culture.
- Identify, preserve, mark and commemorate sites in our towns associated with Indigenous People, African Americans and other minority groups relevant to the towns’ past, including through QR code walking tours or docent led tours.
- Create, share, publish and/or promote publication of histories, stories, documents and other resources associated with Indigenous People, African Americans, and other minority groups relevant to our towns’ past. Post “Meet The Neighbors” content on CoDE website. Create storyboards of town history, e.g., regarding newly found history about seven families who lived in Hebron Center; display in accessible public locations including town libraries, and in the Peters’ House for Juneteenth Celebration.
- Utilize media, publication, internet and personal engagement to share alternative views of the towns’ past. Review information currently published to correct misinformation and share information where appropriate.
Goal 4A:
Where possible, work with area historical societies, historic properties commissions, town leaders and commissions to ensure that narrations of the towns’ past, in public records and legal documents, reflect the reality that although Euro-American settlement occurred in the place now called Hebron, Andover, Marlborough and Columbia about 300 years ago, yet Indigenous people have used and occupied this same space for over seven millennia.
Action steps:
- Present interested individuals, especially the towns’ elected, appointed and hired individuals, with information and avenues to reflect upon the past as it has influenced the present, in order to make wise decisions for the future.
- Support town initiatives, such as the Plan of Conservation and Development and other master plans, which would preserve archaeological sites within the town with association linked to Indigenous People, African Americans and other under-represented minorities.
- Encourage Hebron officials and committees to update information about the Peters’ House at Burnt Hill Park.
- Explore and pursue grants and other resources for indigenous peoples research in communities we serve (Hebron, Andover, Marlborough and Columbia).