Artwork by Angie Heady
Thomas Downing circa 1866
Listen to THE BIVALVE TRAIL here,
or on Pandora, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
THE BIVALVE TRAIL is a brand new podcast series from the Chincoteague Island Theatre Company.
The first event is a four-episode deep dive into the fascinating life story of a man from Chincoteague Island who almost no one has heard of, but deserves to have his story shared and celebrated. Thomas Downing was an African-American man born free in 1791, who worked his way to becoming a registered oysterman in nineteenth century New York City. By 1835, he owned the most respected and favorited oyster cellar in the whole city. Downing was very involved in social activism and philanthropist of many grass-root causes that fought to bring equity to African Americans.
Thomas Downing completely revolutionized the oyster industry and became an international sensation, while never forgetting his Eastern Shore roots.
Completely researched, written, and told by Lexi Hubb, THE BIVALVE TRAIL is a collaboration with Longtayle Studios, the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, and the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
or on Pandora, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
THE BIVALVE TRAIL is a brand new podcast series from the Chincoteague Island Theatre Company.
The first event is a four-episode deep dive into the fascinating life story of a man from Chincoteague Island who almost no one has heard of, but deserves to have his story shared and celebrated. Thomas Downing was an African-American man born free in 1791, who worked his way to becoming a registered oysterman in nineteenth century New York City. By 1835, he owned the most respected and favorited oyster cellar in the whole city. Downing was very involved in social activism and philanthropist of many grass-root causes that fought to bring equity to African Americans.
Thomas Downing completely revolutionized the oyster industry and became an international sensation, while never forgetting his Eastern Shore roots.
Completely researched, written, and told by Lexi Hubb, THE BIVALVE TRAIL is a collaboration with Longtayle Studios, the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, and the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
 An oyster crock from Downing's.
THE BIVALVE TRAIL will be an ongoing audible series focused on bringing our audience dramatic and engaging entertainment that they can listen to anytime and anywhere. |
Lexi in 2018 standing (according to Google Maps) at 5 Broad Street NYC. Photo credit Justin Aruck.
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A horse-drawn trolley car. The setting for the scene in Episode 3.
Sources Used
Click to purchase from Sundial Books.
Kurlansky, Mark. The Big Oyster Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks. New York, Random House Trade Paperback, 2006.
"Commending Downing's United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 225th Anniversary." House Joint Resolution No. 142. January 9, 2008.
Downing, George. “A Sketch of the Life and Times of Thomas Downing.” Black Gotham Archive, A.M. E. Church Review, Apr. 1887, http://archive.blackgothamarchive.org/sketchofthomasdowning.html.
“The Civil Rights Bill of 1866.” Historical Highlights, The US House of Representatives, 10 Jan. 2021, history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/The-Civil-Rights-Bill-of-1866.
“History of the Streetcar.” BHRA: History of the Streetcar, The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association , www.brooklynrail.net/info_streetcar.html
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “American Anti-Slavery Society.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, 28 July 2016, www.britannica.com/topic/American-Anti-Slavery-Society.
Lam, Francis. “How Thomas Downing Became the Black Oyster King of New York.” The Oyster King and the Seagull Test, The Splendid Table, 14 Mar. 2018, www.splendidtable.org/story/2018/03/14/how-thomas-downing-became-black-oyster-king-new-york.
Schulte, David M. “History of the Virginia Oyster Fishery, Chesapeake Bay, USA.” Frontiers in Marine Science, Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 May 2017, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00127.
“The Venerable Thomas Downing - Black Oyster King of New York.” The Oysters My World, 20 Oct. 2014, theoystersmyworld.com/2014/10/20/the-venerable-thomas-downing-black-oyster-king-of-new-york.
“Rare 1800’s Thomas Downing Pickled Oyster Crock.” Black Americana Collectibles, 9 Feb. 2017, blackamericanacollectibles.biz/rare-1800-s-thomas-downing-pickled-oyster-crock-n-y-son-of-black-slaves.html.
Hewitt, John H. “Mr. Downing and His Oyster House: The Life and Good Works of an African-American Entrepreneur.” New York History, vol. 74, no. 3, 1993, pp. 229–252. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23182523. Accessed 4 Dec. 2020.
Korfhage, Matthew. “Thomas Downing: Pearl of Virginia.” Daily Press [Newport News, VA], 16 Feb. 2020, pp. 1–6.
Blue Point Brewing Company. “How New York City Became the Oyster Capital of the World.” Atlas Obscura, 24 Aug. 2018, www.atlasobscura.com/articles/oysters-new-york-city-history-blue-point.
“Worcester County and the Indians Who Had the Land First.” Facebook.Com, Worcester County, MD History. Bob Jones, Coordinator., 14 Sept. 2020, www.facebook.com/groups/Worcester.History.
