2011 Reid MacCluggage Maritime History Scholarship Announced

Attention High School Juniors & Seniors $1000 Scholarship

Write an essay, short story, poem, play, movie script or
Novella about the African-American experience in the
maritime world for the chance to win a $1000 scholarship!

Eligibility: You must be a JUNIOR or SENIOR in good standing at one of the following high schools to qualify: East Lyme, Grasso Tech., Fisher's Island, Fitch, Griswold, Ledyard, Lyme-Old Lyme, Montville, New London, NFA, Norwich Regional Tech., St. Bernard's, Stonington, Williams School, Waterford, Wheeler.

Format: You may enter an original essay, short story, novella, play, movie script or poem based on the theme: the African-American experience in the maritime world. There are no restrictions on the length or scope of your piece, but all entries must be typed and include a complete list of all primary and secondary research sources. Additionally, each entry must be accompanied by a cover page, stating the student's name, address and telephone number, as well as the name of the high school he or she attends, and a brief abstract describing the intent/content of the piece.

Due Date: All entries must be received at the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320, by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 28, 2011. If you mail your entry, it must be postmarked no later than February 28, 2011.

Awards: Following review by a panel of distinguished judges from the community, a scholarship of $1000 will be awarded for the most outstanding entry and a $500 savings bond for second place. The winners will be contacted directly, and will receive the awards at his or her high school awards night.

Contact: If you have any questions, please contact the Custom House Maritime Museum, 860-447-2501.

The Reid MacCluggage Maritime History Scholarship was established to foster an awareness of the experience of African-Americans in the context of maritime history.
It honors the commitment of Reid MacCluggage, the editor and publisher of The Day newspaper from 1984-2001, to the development of multicultural awareness and excellent writing skills in students.

SPONSORED BY NEW LONDON MARITIME SOCIETY, INC.

In 1839, New London and its U.S. Custom House, now the Custom House Maritime Museum, played a small but significant role in the abolition of slavery in the United States--in particular, in the story of the Amistad.

As you may be aware, the original La Amistad was a Cuban ship that sailed from Havana in 1839 on the voyage that gave rise to the famous U.S. Supreme Court case - the first such case to set African captives free.

It was in New London where local abolitionists took that first important step towards setting the captives free: New London is the only American port to which the original La Amistad ever sailed, New London is where an abolitionist first spoke up in defense of the ship's captives, and it was at New London's U.S. Custom House where, ultimately, the ship & its cargo were auctioned after the conclusion of the trial. We should always remember: small players can have a profound effect.

Today at the Custom House, we tell the Amistad story with a new exhibition Amistad: A True Story of Freedom, and with special programs.

nlmaritimesociety.org

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