Eastville Community Historical Society, the Southampton African-American Museum and the Montauk Historical Society proudly announce the visit of the replica Schooner Amistad to Montauk.

After dropping anchor at Culloden Point on Thursday, August 22nd, the Amistad will make its way to the Montauk Town Dock on Star Island for six days of events and activities.  Don’t miss the chance to visit the ship and learn more about this important chapter in our local and national history!

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

All events will take place on the Town Dock, at 69 Star Island Road, unless otherwise noted.

8/22 4:30 – 6:30 PM Welcome event Beachside celebration at Culloden Point with Kora music and drumming; interpretive dance, libation, ring shout.

Free event; space is limited.

Please book at https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/event/amistad-at-culloden-point/

8/23 2 – 6 PM Open House Free

8/24 10 AM – 4 PM Open House Free

8/24 5:30 – 7 PM VIP Reception Re-enactor presentation at 6 PM. Ticketed; space is limited.

Please book at https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/event/amistad-vip-reception-and-tour/

8/25 10 AM – 4 PM Open House Family day with activities for children andyoung people. Re-enactor presentation at 2 PM. Free event.

8/26 2 – 3 PM Presentation NYS Historian Devin Lander will discuss plans for the celebrations around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Free event at the Oceans Institute of the Montauk Point Lighthouse, space is limited.

Please book here to reserve a space: https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/event/250-anniversary-of-the-declaration-of-independence/

8/26 2 – 6 PM Open House Free

8/27 10 AM – 4 PM Open House Professional Development Day. Free event.

8/27 5:30 – 7 Panel Discussion Discussion with NYS Historian Devin Lander, to be held at the Oceans Institute of the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Free event; space is limited.

Please book here to reserve a space: https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/event/amistad-panel-discussion/

8/28 2 – 6 PM Open House Final day; free event.

The notorious schooner Amistad, which was seized off the coast of Montauk in August 1839, returns to these shores for a week this summer in the form of a full-size replica, to help tell the story of the history-making uprising that resulted in a landmark Supreme Court decision and boosted the cause of freedom.

“Montauk’s role in the Amistad story is not very well known, so we are thrilled to have this chance to share our local connection with such an important part of history,” said Mia Certic, executive director of the Montauk Historical Society, which worked with the Eastville Community Historical Society and the Southampton African American Museum to organize the ship’s visit.

185 years ago, 49 illegally enslaved African men rose up against their captors and took control of the ship that was to transport them to a sugar plantation in the north of Cuba. They spared the lives of the two Spanish enslavers, who promised to steer the schooner back to Africa. But the Spaniards deceived the Africans, sailing east by day and north by night, until they reached Culloden Point in Montauk. There they were intercepted by a naval survey ship, which took control of the Amistad and towed it to Connecticut, then still a slave state. (Slavery in New York had been outlawed in 1827.) A protracted legal battle finally culminated in a Supreme Court decision that freed the Amistad Africans, who were later able to return to what is now Sierra Leone.

“It’s very powerful to stand at Culloden Point, where this momentous piece of our collective history actually happened,” said Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, executive director of the Eastville Community Historical Society. “I felt it was essential for us to begin our commemorations right there on that beach.”

On its way into Montauk on August 22, the replica schooner will stop at Culloden Point, where it will lie at anchor while a celebration — including interpretive dance, African kora music and drumming, a libation, and a ring shout — takes place on shore.

“This is our tribute to the brave and resourceful heroes of the Amistad rebellion,” said Brenda Simmons, founder of the Southampton African American Museum, “as well as to the millions who endured the Middle Passage and generations of enslavement, and whose names and stories have been lost to us.”

After its brief stay at Culloden Point, the Amistad will sail into Montauk Harbor, where it will be moored at the East Hampton Town Dock on Star Island for a week. There it will be open daily for free tours and activities presented by Discovering Amistad, the nonprofit group that runs its educational programs. Highlights of the week include a family day, with activities targeting children and young people, a professional development day, a VIP tour, and a panel discussion featuring New York State Historian Devin Lander, who will also give a presentation about preparations for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“We are honored to bring the Amistad Freedom Schooner back to Montauk,” said Paula Mann-Agnew, executive director of Discovering Amistad. “This will be a monumental week; as we will elevate the powerful impact of the Amistad Uprising. Our Tall Ship serves as a prominent symbol of the continued fight for freedom and social justice.”

For more information, please see montaukhistoricalsociety.org/events.