History Lives Here
2023-06-10 14:30 - 18:00 UTC | WHERE: Wellspring House, the historic home at 302 Essex Ave., Gloucester, Mass.
Wellspring celebrates opening of groundbreaking exhibition, History Lives Here, that honors the Freemans, a prominent Black American family that first owned Wellspring property for 103 years

Two-day event: Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10

For 42 years, Wellspring has supported thousands of individuals and families from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training and career readiness. This year, the Cape Ann-based nonprofit organization is dedicating its Spring 2023 Celebration to the Freeman Family Legacy with a weekend event to launch "History Lives Here," an exhibit about the Freemans, three generations of a prominent Black American family that lived in Gloucester, Mass., since the 1770s. In 1826, the Freeman Family bought the property where Wellspring is headquartered now. Wellspring staff members and researchers have unearthed the family's enduring achievements over more than a century, a story that ties directly to Wellspring's present day social justice mission.

As part of the celebration, visitors will be able to share their stories using photography from the Essential PhotoVoices program, and those photos will be shared on site over the weekend to compliment the Freeman exhibit. In addition, LuminArtz and Wellspring are collaborating on a unique building projection component to the exhibition with words and photos on the exterior of Wellspring's main building on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Born in 1731, Robin Freeman was enslaved to Capt. Charles Byles, a mariner whose property was located in Gloucester, Mass., across from the current Wellspring House. By 1769, Robin Freeman paid Byles to free himself from slavery. Robin's son, Robert, followed in his father's footsteps, successfully farming and becoming the largest landowner in Kettle Cove, Magnolia, a section of Gloucester, when he purchased 100 acres of land in 1803 to create Robbin's Farm. By 1826, Robert was able to purchase the land where Wellspring's headquarters stands today. He and his wife, Rhoda, raised four children in the house which remained in the family for three generations. It's a remarkable story of Black American accomplishment on Cape Ann which will also be celebrated as part of the upcoming Gloucester 400th anniversary celebration.
