Post-Emancipation, Friendly Society Effects
The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] is offering a free virtual lecture on July 21 entitled ‘Societal Changes in Post-Emancipation Bermuda and the ‘Friendly Society’ Effects.’
A spokesperson said, “The National Museum of Bermuda is continuing its Bermuda and the Atlantic World lecture series with a free virtual lecture on Thursday, 21 July, 2022 at 5.30pm via Zoom. ‘Societal Changes in Post-Emancipation Bermuda and the ‘Friendly Society’ Effects’ will be presented by professor Dr. Michael Bradshaw, President of the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association.
“Established as early as 1832, friendly societies were vital for the empowerment of Black Bermudians in post-emancipation Bermuda, providing education and financial support to the most vulnerable members of our society. This lecture will explore the role and practices of friendly societies in the New World and how the presence and participation of the Bermuda friendly society system is linked to the familiar adage “Bermuda is another world’.
“Dr. Bradshaw was born, raised and educated in Bermuda.
“He is a retired community college lecturer and administrator with more than 30 years professional experience in tertiary level education systems in Britain, West Africa and Bermuda. Dr. Bradshaw has strong West Indian roots with a solid grounding in the culture and history of Blacks in Bermuda. He has been a member of the friendly society movement in Bermuda for 35+ years, serving on the Executive Committee of the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association for 10 years [the last 5 years as President].
“Dr. Bradshaw’s current activities are aimed at securing a prominent and sustainable future for the friendly society story as a part of the heritage of formerly enslaved Bermudians after Emancipation, but also as a backdrop for Bermuda’s social history as well as an overlooked lens for Atlantic World history and British Caribbean history. He asserts that the story of Bermuda’s friendly societies contributes unique and unusual aspects to all the above.”
Executive Director Elena Strong said, “Our Bermuda and the Atlantic World free lecture series is one of many ways that the National Museum is providing opportunities to learn about Bermuda’s past. It explores the links and the forces throughout the Atlantic World that helped shape Bermuda as we know it today. I encourage everyone to register to learn more about the role of friendly societies in Bermuda.”
The spokesperson said, “To register for Dr. Bradshaw’s lecture, click here.
“Previous lectures in the series include ‘The Early Atlantic Age [1250-1609]: Why and how did we get here?’ and ‘Building a Maritime Community & Maritime State: Early Settlement & Economic Growth [1609-1800]‘, both presented by Dr. Clarence Maxwell, ‘Pushing the Boundaries of Freedom’ presented by Dr. Kristy Warren and ‘Reckoning with the Slave Ship Enterprise in Bermuda, 1835′ presented by Dr. Neil Kennedy. To watch previous lectures, visit www.nmb.bm/lecture.
“NMB’s Bermuda and the Atlantic World lecture series and education programmes are supported by The Future of History Campaign. NMB seeks to raise at least $8.5M to support education, expansion and institutional stability. Learn more here.”
