Tuesday Talks: Barbara Burgo: Cape Verdean History on Cape Cod

Join us on Tuesday, February 11^th, for an incredible lecture from Cape Verdean expert, historian, and cultural anthropologist, Barbara Burgo. Burgo, a Co-Founder of the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center, will share with us the rich history of the Cape Verdeans covering pre-colonialism, the colonial period, role in the trade of enslaved peoples, Cape Verde’s independence from European colonizers, and the growth and identity of Cape Verde in the modern world.  For centuries, Islanders from the Archipelago of Cape Verde have emigrated to these shores of Cape Cod as well as locations across the world seeking a better way of life for themselves and their families. New England, predominantly New Bedford, the Cape, and Islands have been second homes to thousands of Kriolus chasing the ‘American Dream’ while escaping their drought-stricken homeland. In fact, whaling was once such a booming industry where many Cape Verdean men, women and children – as well as countless others – found such success in New Bedford that it is now known as “The City That Lit the World.”  From deck hands and skilled harpooners, these hard-working immigrants were so well suited to the sea that many became owners and Captains of their own ships such as Captain Henrique Mendes and his historic rescue of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey which is now the Official Vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This talk will explore the legacy of ancestors from the Cape Verde Islands who paved the way for us. We are honored to have Ms. Burgo share her knowledge. Related to Barbara Burgo’s talk, will be the Atwood Museum’s new exhibit, Coming to These Shores: Immigration to Cape Cod, beginning at the Atwood Museum in May 2025.

About the Speaker Barbara Burgo was born in Taunton, MA and semi-retired to Cape Cod eight years ago. She began her college degree at Wheaton College, Norton, MA while working as the Human Resources Administrator. She transferred to Rhode Island College and participated in URI/RIC’s Summer Seminar in Cape Verde in 1997 and 1998 which inspired her to co-found the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center, established in 2019, In 2000, Barbara led a humanitarian mission to Cape Verde, sponsored by Cape Verdean Clubs in New Bedford titled “Adopt A Village Project” where she met the Coast Guard Campbell Crew who painted a school building with the Cape Verdean military in a rural suburb of Santiago Island. She was hosted at the U.S. Embassy in Praia, Cape Verde Islands. Barbara earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology (Magna Cum Laude) and a minor in Women’s Studies. She is a former: President of AAUW-MA (American Association of University Women), Chair of the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission, President of the Taunton Cape Verdean Association, Vice Chair of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, planning committee member of Common Threads, Lembranca and So Sabi! Cape Verdean festivals and Asst. Barbara has course work toward a Master’s Certificate in Gerontology at UMASS Boston. She currently lives in Brewster. Barbara is the mother of two adult daughters who both live in Taunton.