The Department of Culture held the 17th Annual Robinson/Packwood Memorial Lecture on August 18 at the Bermuda National Gallery, bringing together members of the community to reflect on Bermuda’s history and the importance of preserving and understanding the island’s past. This year’s lecture featured Dr. Neil Kennedy, Professor of Atlantic History at Memorial University in St. John’s, Canada. Dr. Kennedy's presentation focused on a 1827 incident involving a Bermudian ship in the international slave trade, tracing its repercussions across the Atlantic and demonstrating how it influenced laws, policies, and discussions surrounding the intercolonial slave trade.
Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, said, “Events such as the Robinson/Packwood Memorial Lecture remind us that understanding our history is essential to understanding who we are today. This annual event provides an important opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge of our shared past and consider the lessons it offers for our future.”
Dr. Kennedy has spent the past decade researching the history of slavery, resistance and emancipation in Bermuda, including archaeological and historical work at Hog Bay and Castle Island. His scholarship has been published in the Journal of Caribbean History and Slavery & Abolition. The event was hosted by Stephan Johnstone, while Matthew Johnston performed a piece of poetry as part of the programme.
The Department extends its appreciation to Dr. Kennedy, the speakers and performers who contributed to the evening, and to all those who continue to support the preservation and sharing of Bermuda’s history and cultural heritage.
