A visitor views the exhibit jointly created by the Maine Maritime Museum and Bowdoin College’s Africana Studies Department, called “Cotton Town: Maine’s Economic Connections to Slavery.” Courtesy of Maine Maritime Museum

The Camden Public Library plans to host Luke Gates-Milardo, education and community engagement specialist at Maine Maritime Museum, for an online presentation of “Maine’s Economic Connections to Slavery.”

This talk, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, is the final program in the library’s “Maritime Month” series, according to a news release from the library.

Gates-Milardo will present documents and artifacts from museum’s collection that shed light on Maine’s role in the Atlantic slave economy.

These are examples of primary documents referencing Maine’s connection to the slave trade, which are featured in the “Cotton Town: Maines Economic Connections to Slavery” exhibit at Maine Maritime Museum. Courtesy of the Maine Maritime Museum

The talk originates from an exhibit jointly created by the museum and Bowdoin College’s Africana Studies Department, called “Cotton Town: Maine’s Economic Connections to Slavery.” The talk will provide a visual and historical review of the project.

Gates-Milardo will discuss the research challenges involved in uncovering Maine’s contribution to the trafficking of enslaved people, and will encourage a conversation about why this and other under-acknowledged histories matter for the world today.

Gates-Milardo designs and delivers creative, experiential learning opportunities for museum-goers of all ages. He is particularly interested in using artifacts to emphasize historically under-represented stories and perspectives, supporting students in reinterpreting their understanding of history through such critical lenses as environmentalism, social justice, and the arts.

“Cotton Town: Maines Economic Connections to Slavery” will remain on exhibit until Sunday, May 8 at the museum, 243 Washington St. in Bath. Learn more about this exhibit by visiting mainemaritimemuseum.org.

To register and receive a Zoom link to attend, visit ibrarycamden.org.