Now Closed: Salem United, Inc. Exhibit
Unmasking & Evolution of Negro Election Day and The Black Vote
Salem United President Doreen Wade
contact
Doreen Wade, Salem United, Inc. President
salemunitedinc@gmail.com
a note from Doreen Wade, Pres. of Salem United, Inc.
Salem United, Inc. would like to thank all the tour guides who supported Negro Election Day Exhibition. You made it possible for Salem United, Inc to attract tourists.
Thank you to the Community who came out to learn about this Black self-governing system's history. Now when you come to Salem Willows Park on the 3rd Saturday in July, we will be proud of celebrating this history Negro Election Day.
Thank you to all those who made it a success from the Peabody Essex Museum to Governor Baker.
But most importantly, thank you to Hamilton Hall for without you instead of success we would have only remained an idea.
- Doreen Wade, President, Salem United, Inc.
about the exhibit
Unmasking & Evolution of Negro Election Day and the Black Vote is not to be missed. Through more than twenty paintings, displays, and banners, visitors will learn how the first black voting system evolved into Salem's 281-year-old “Black Picnic Day” celebration. Guests will learn how West African slaves pioneered Black self-governance, and how white America used voting suppression methods to constrain elections.
The exhibition's story begins with the first Black King/Governor in Massachusetts, elected by the Black community in 1740. From there, it follows other Black New Englanders who have earned this title, and explains the relevance of their contributions.
Salem United, Inc. was founded in 2015 by three black women: mother and daughter Lorraine and Doreen Wade, and their colleague Su Almeida. The Wades have traced their family history back to the 1600’s in Massachusetts. President Doreen Wade has taken a powerful interest in preserving the history of Black self-governance in New England. This exhibit is the fruit of her research efforts.
