Maine and the West Indies Trade, with Seth Goldstein

Maritime historian Seth Goldstein has spent the last several years researching the deep economic ties between Maine and West Indian plantations. This relationship saw the export of lumber, salt fish, bricks, ice and a variety of other goods that were shipped to the West Indies and exchanged for sugar, molasses, rum and other luxury commodities produced by enslave Africans. Profits from this trade were critical to the economic development of Northern New England.

Seth Goldstein grew up on Cape Cod where he developed his passion for maritime history. He received his bachelor’s degree in European History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and his master's degree in World History from Northeastern University. His research interests include the historic North Atlantic fishery, global piracy, New England shipwrecks and lighthouses, the whaling industry, and Maine’s connection to Atlantic World African enslavement. He has worked for Greater Portland Landmarks and the Portland Harbor Museum. Seth has taught at the University of New England, Southern Maine Community College, and the Maine College of Art and Design. He is currently the director of the South Portland Historical Society's Cushing's Point Museum and the Director of Development for the South Portland Historical Society.