NEWBURYPORT — Local historian Ghlee Woodworth presents a slideshow of little-known images, featuring everything from Plum Island to Maudslay State Park, on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. at the Newburyport Senior/Community Center.
The presentation is part of the Greater Newburyport Village Talks series.
Woodworth will highlight her recent research of the city’s early Black community and show images that include a look at the Joppa neighborhood, downtown restoration, shipyards, bicyclists, balloons, pole vaulters and beachgoers enjoying watermelon, according to a release.
The historian, a Newburyport native and 12th-generation descendant of Robert Adams – one of the first settlers of Newbury, will provide a peek at images never seen by the public that were recently acquired by the Museum of Old Newbury.
Those who attend will learn about former slaves, local business owners and others who contributed to the social and economic fabric of Newburyport.
Woodworth is the creator of Newburyport’s Clipper Heritage Trail, a series of self-guided history tours available online and through brochures and smartphones.
She is the author of “Tiptoe Through the Tombstones, Oak Hill Cemetery” (2009). Woodworth has also written “Newburyport Clipper Heritage Trail Volume I” (2020) and “Newburyport Clipper Heritage Trail Volume II” (2022) – both of which will be available for purchase by cash or check.
Woodworth has won several awards for her contributions in honor of Newburyport’s history, the release said. She recently received the Massachusetts Daughters of American Revolution’s Historic Preservation Medal and was honored at the Newburyport Literary Festival.
In the past 17 years, Woodworth has given more than 230 slideshow presentations and walking, bus and boat tours of cemeteries, neighborhoods and the city.
She is researching and writing about Newburyport’s early Black history and just completed two brochures.
Woodworth has restored more than 1,600 gravestones, including those in Oak Hill Cemetery and other community burying grounds.
A complimentary lunch is available prior to the talk courtesy of the Friends of the Council on Aging and the Greater Newburyport Village. Call the Senior/Community Center at 978-462-0430 to reserve a lunch.
Village Talks are offered by the Greater Newburyport Village at no cost for the enrichment of the community. They are usually held the third Wednesday of the month.
For more information about Village Talks, check the event calendar at www.greaternewburyportvillage.org, email info@greaternewburyportvillage.org or call 978-206-1821.