Whaling was the first American industry to exhibit any diversity, and the proportion of men of color people who participated was amazingly high. A man got to be captain not because he was white or well connected, but because he knew how to kill a whale. Along the way, he would also learn navigation and how to read and write. Whaling presented a tantalizing alternative to mainland life.

Join Linden Place Mansion and Herreshoff Marine Museum on Tuesday, June 7^th at 7pm in the Linden Place Ballroom where Martha’s Vineyard author, Skip Finley will lead us on his fascinating journey of discovery, based on his best-selling book, “Whaling Captains of Color, America’s First Meritocracy”.  Working with archival records at whaling museums, in libraries, from private archives and studying hundreds of books and thesis, Finley will share come of the best stories from the lives of over 50 Whaling Captains of Color.

Thanks to funding from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and BankNewport, this program is free and open to the public but reservations are required as space is limited. To make a reservation, visit www.lindenplace.org or call 401-253-0390.

For more information, visit www.lindenplace.org or call the office at 401-253-0390.