This series offers a deeper look into the rich history of the Bush House Museum. Brian Waldo Johnson will talk about the 1863 Salem Scandal.
African Americans Richard Bogle and America Waldo were married in Salem on January 1, 1863—the same day the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.
The wedding quickly became notorious across the West Coast due to the unprecedented attendance of prominent members of White society at a Black wedding. This presentation will explore the backgrounds of those in attendance, the circumstances that made the event so extraordinary, and the hostile reaction from much of the press, which viewed the wedding as a bold assertion of equality.

In order to plan for our talk, please register by Friday, February 27 at 4pm; we will close the registration page after that time and we cannot accommodate walk-ups for this talk.