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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Old North Church in Boston is reckoning with its complex history as it looks back on its origins in the Colonial era. The historic site is publishing two virtual curricula, one for high school and one for elementary school, on its connections to the 18th century chocolate trade.
"We understand the pull of chocolate in our culture today, so it really is a great lens to the past," said Nikki Stewart, Executive Director at Old North Church & Historic Site.
According to church historians, many church members were deeply involved in the trade, which was illegal in those days and would have even raised moral questions in the 18th century. The trade was driven by slave labor and human trafficking. Merchants, smugglers, sea-captains and others involved in the chocolate trade were prominent figures in the church's early membership.
The curriculum is available for free from the organization.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports:
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