‘Forgetting to Remember’ Exhibition

Sag Harbor Cinema and the Plain Sight Project are partnering with the Eastville Community Historical Society for a series of summer events as part of the “Forgetting to Remember” Project.

The “Forgetting to Remember” exhibition will be on view at the Eastville Community Historical Society, 139 Hampton Street, Sag Harbor from July 1 to July 31, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a community discussion about the significance of the Plain Sight Project’s research on Saturday, July 15, from 1 to 2:30 pm, on the lawn of the Eastville Community Historical Society. There will also be an encore screening of the short documentary “Forgotten Founders: David Hempstead, Senior,” at Sag Harbor Cinema on Sunday, July 16, at 11 a.m. Tickets are free to the public, but registration is required at sagharborcinema.org.

“The Plain Sight Project is happy to continue our partnership with Sag Harbor Cinema,” said Donnamarie Barnes and David Rattray, co-directors of the Plain Sight Project, “and we are grateful to the Eastville Community Historical Society for hosting the exhibition and inviting us to speak on July 15. Presenting these stories during the summer season to our community is so important and we are looking forward to sharing new information about the lives and histories of the individuals who lived, worked and died here whose stories have never been told.”

The “Forgetting to Remember” exhibition includes original artwork by Butler in addition to various historical documents and digital maps that detail the lives of enslaved, indentured, and free people of color on the East End of Long Island. Butler’s portrait of David Hempstead, Senior, details the formerly enslaved man’s legacy on the East End, whose descendants were founding members of the Eastville Community in Sag Harbor. His smaller-scale portraits of the freedom seekers Crank and Tom use “runaway” advertisements from historical East End newspapers, honoring their fight for freedom.

“The cinema is honored to continue our partnership with the Plain Sight Project via this unique collaboration, amplifying its vital work through film,” added Genevieve Villaflor, executive director of Sag Harbor Cinema. “The impact of the documentary ‘Forgotten Founders: David Hempstead, Senior,’ has been extraordinary. Its success speaks to the power of visual storytelling, and its ability to bring communities together. Sag Harbor cinema is proud to further highlight the legacy of Hempstead, Senior, through this partnership with the Eastville Community Historical Society, a community that his son helped build.”

“It is a rare privilege to utilize my talents and skills to portray these individuals whom history has generally swept aside,” said “Forgetting to Remember” exhibition artist Michael A. Butler. “Although the historical record is often sketchy, I feel that I am somehow breathing life back into the people, their families, interests and skill sets. Their stories would have continued to slip away if not for the interest and dedication of those people who desire to fill in the gaps. I feel that it is incumbent upon me to join this effort, especially as more of these personal histories are brought to light.”

The Eastville exhibition will be open to the public on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment. Visit eastvillehistorical.org for more scheduling information.