Exploring Dover's Black History Tour

Dover Black History Tour

Step into the rich Black history of Dover during this 90 minute guided tour led by Sankofa Scholar and Tour Guide Jenny Tibbits. Beginning at The Woodman Museum, the experience introduces the people, families, and events that shaped the Black community in Dover and highlights stories of resilience, courage, and community.

Discover the history of people enslaved by the Waldron family and learn how the cotton mill built in Dover was connected to slavery in the South. The tour explores these important historical connections while helping visitors understand how local industry and wider events influenced the lives of Black people and their communities.

The tour also brings attention to the remarkable Brown Mitchell family and their contributions to American history. Learn about Nellie Brown Mitchell, a renowned Black opera singer, and her brother Edward Brown, a lawyer who submitted a petition to Congress for a national anti lynching bill and became the first Black justice of the peace in New Hampshire. Hear also about her husband Charles Mitchell, a Civil War hero and the first Black person elected to the Massachusetts legislature.

Throughout the experience, discover stories that reflect community, resilience, and courage while exploring Dover through an important historical perspective. The tour departs from The Woodman Museum at 2 pm, with guests asked to arrive 10 minutes before departure. Tours operate rain or shine, and late arrivals may lose their reserved spot.