Anestral Bridges Unveils New Home on Cottage Street

The public had the opportunity to view the new headquarters of Ancestral Bridges at 29A Cottage Street on May 7. This is the first physical site for the nonprofit organization founded in 2022 by Anika Lopes a 6thgeneration Black/indigenous Amherst resident. Named for Lopes’ maternal ancestors and grandfather Dudley Bridges, Ancestral Bridges celebrates the stories of the area’s first black and Afro-indigenous families through interpretive walks, historic markers, cultural events and exhibits, internship opportunities, wealth generation education, and first-time home ownership initiatives. The organization has previously held exhibits at the Amherst Historical Society and the Frost Library at Amherst College, but has not had a permanent home for its collections.

The “soft opening” was attended by roughly 100 visitors. Each room featured  historical displays interpreted by one of several Amherst College students, who participated in a semester-long collaboration with Professor Lisa Brooks in her American Literature in Conversation course. That course is supported by the college’s Serving the Greater Good initiative and the Center for Community Engagement. As part of the course, the students interviewed African American and indigenous Amherst residents about their lives and history, including Edythe Harris, who was present at the opening. Harris is the 98-year-old daughter of Amherst’s internationally acclaimed jazz musician Gilbert “Gil” Roberts. A video recording of some of the interviews is displayed at the headquarters. 

Also exhibited are paintings by Shirley Jackson Whitaker and historic hat forms together with hats fashioned by Lopes. In addition, there are historic photographs of Black residents and Black life in Amherst and many artifacts.

Although the site does not yet have regular public visiting hours, Lopes said she plans to have times on weekends and during the week when visitors will be welcome.