Join the Wareham Historical Society on Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. to hear from Patrick Nobrega, director of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, about the process of honoring local historical figure Captain Paul Cuffe through the center’s work. 

Born in 1759 on the island of Cuttyhunk, Cuffe was the son of a freed slave and a Wampanoag woman. He would go on to become a Master Mariner, abolitionist, philanthropist, and community advocate. Beginning with his first whaling voyage at the age of 14, Cuffe broke down barriers, becoming one of wealthiest people of color in the U.S. during his lifetime. Whether engaged in whaling, shipping or the running of his businesses, Cuffe was very successful and much of his wealth went back to the community, including the incorporation of one of the first integrated schools in the country in Westport. He remained a visionary for social change until his death in 1817, and his namesake now inspires future mariners at Massachusetts Maritime Academy and beyond.

The program will take place at the Methodist Meeting House, 495 Main Street. It is free to members of the Wareham Historical Society, and carries a $2 cost for non-members. 

Nobrega is a dynamic intercultural educator with over 12 years of experience in higher education administration. A local of the South Coast, Nobrega received a Bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. His career has included staff positions at institutions such as Suffolk University, Bentley University, and UMass Dartmouth, and he is currently the Director of the CAPT Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He also most recently served as President of the Massachusetts Council for International Education, a non-profit dedicated to representing international education initiatives amongst the 30 public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. His professional focus areas include intercultural awareness, global and diversity learning, and programming designed to promote unity and understanding.  Patrick currently resides in New Bedford with his wife and two young children. He is passionate about his family’s longstanding connection to the Whaling City and connecting the rich history of the South Coast to modern-day initiatives and practices in education.