New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
What were the implications of slavery and the abolitionist movement in 19th century America? Explore these ideas on Thursday, January 10 on AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) night, whose theme this month is “Emancipation Nation.” Curator Jill L. Newmark will speak about the “Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries” traveling exhibit, (currently on display at the park visitor center) during the January AHA! at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park visitor center at 5:30 PM. The title of her talk is, “The Powell Family of New Bedford and William P. Powell, Jr., African American Civil War Surgeon.” In addition, Ruth and Abby, the national park’s 1850s ladies, will be talking about medicine during that time period, from 6:00-8:00 PM. The events take place at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s visitor center, 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. As always, admission is free.
“Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries” is a free exhibit which explores the participation and contributions of African Americans as nurses, surgeons and hospital workers during the Civil War.
“Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries” is a traveling exhibit developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine with research assistance from the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. This eight-panel exhibit, curated by Jill L. Newmark of the National Library of Medicine, contains links to New Bedford history. William P. Powell, Jr., born in New Bedford and son of William P. and Mercy (Haskins) Powell served as a contract Union surgeon during the Civil War and the exhibit touches on his history. According to curator Jill Newmark, Exhibition Registrar of the National Library of Medicine, the exhibit “brings a voice to those that have remained silent for nearly 150 years.”
