LUCRETIA WAS HERE, 1638
Lucretia Was Here, 1638 is a photographic series that bridges the past and present, intertwining historical significance with intimate personal narrative. The work centers around the legacy of Lucretia, New Haven’s first documented African slave, who lived under the estate of Governor Theophilus Eaton in 1638. Through this series, it honors the memory of a woman who, though enslaved, held responsibility over the estate, thus offering her a position of power and agency rarely acknowledged in historical records.
The work captures the haunting presence of Lucretia in the spaces that once belonged to her, particularly the newly renamed Lucretia's Corner in New Haven—an acknowledgment of her life and impact. The evocative and poignant images reimagines Lucretia’s experience, not as a passive victim of history, but as a symbol of resilience, strength, and survival. Goldburn uses her mother as the model for Lucretia, adding a personal dimension to the work that underscores the generational continuity of struggle and triumph within Black history. This deeply personal connection with the subject transforms the series from a historical commentary into an ongoing conversation with the past, ensuring that Lucretia’s legacy endures.
The name "Lucretia's Corner" now marks the intersection of Elm Street and Orange Street in New Haven, a significant step in recognizing the city’s enslaved past. However, in these photographs, Lucretia is not confined to history books—she is alive, walking in the present, demanding recognition and justice. The powerful imagery in Lucretia Was Here, 1638 serves not only as a tribute to this important figure in New Haven's history but also as an exploration of how the stories of enslaved individuals have often been obscured or forgotten.
The photographic work is an essential commentary on the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black people, framed through the lens of personal narrative and collective history. With Lucretia Was Here, 1638, Goldburn not only immortalizes a forgotten chapter in New Haven’s history but also reclaims the narrative of those who were historically silenced, ensuring their stories live on and remain relevant.
In this series, the viewer is invited to reflect on how history is remembered and, more importantly, whose stories are told. Through the lens of her camera, Goldburn ensures that Lucretia’s story, and the stories of those like her, are no longer forgotten. They are here, they have always been here, and they deserve to be remembered.
Press:
Gellman, Lucy. “At SCSU, Seven Artists Turn The Lens On Black Experience”. Feb. 20, 2023.