Finding Mingo: Slavery’s Legacy
November 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Finding Mingo: Slavery’s Legacy in a New England Town
Dr. Elizabeth Matelski uncovers the history behind the legend of Robin Mingo, a formerly enslaved man whose name lives on at a popular Beverly beach. Drawing on local archives and centuries of mythmaking, this talk explores how the story of Mingo reveals New England’s hidden ties to slavery, freedom, and racial memory.
Rather than a tale of shame or obscurity, Mingo’s life offers a powerful testament to resilience, belonging, and the need to confront the past in the very landscapes we inhabit today.
Don’t miss this fascinating talk—perfect for history lovers!
Included with general museum admission • Ages: Adults • Registration not required
About Dr. Elizabeth Matelski:
Elizabeth Matelski, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of History at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts where she teaches classes on race, gender, and sexuality in American history. Matelski received her AB from Ripon College and her PhD from Loyola University Chicago. In addition to teaching American history, she also created Endicott’s Public History concentration. Matelski is a past director of two NEH summer institutes about the Salem Witch Trials. Her current research is centered on Robin Mingo, a formerly enslaved Black man who lived in Beverly in the 1700s.
