Overview In October 2025, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, made history by voluntarily returning two pottery works created by David Drake (ca. 1801–1870s)—known as Dave the Potter—to his verified descendants. This restitution followed a landmark genealogical investigation led by Kellie Marie Farrish, establishing for the first time in U.S. history a proven lineage between an enslaved artist and his living heirs. This case marks a new standard in museum ethics, descendant verification, and the intersection of genealogy and reparative justice. Legal and Historical Significance The return of David Drake’s works to his verified descendants represents a historic first in U.S. Museum history. Unlike prior restitution efforts—such as the Zealy Daguerreotypes case (Lanier v. Harvard), which involved descendants of photographic subjects—this case centers on proven authorship. Through documentary research meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard, the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust established direct descent from the artist himself, not merely the subjects of a work. While the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Lanier reaffirmed that descendants of enslaved individuals depicted in images hold no property right in those works, the Dave Drake case reframes the question entirely: when the creator was enslaved, and his creative output was later commodified, descendants stand not as subjects but as heirs to authorship. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s voluntary restitution thus marks an unprecedented ethical recognition—one grounded in verified lineage and the principle that artistic legacy, even when born under enslavement, belongs first to family. About the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust Formed in 2025, the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust is a descendant-governed entity dedicated to preserving the artistic, historical, and cultural legacy of David Drake. The Trust evaluates lineage claims through a transparent genealogical process rooted in professional standards, and it advocates for descendant inclusion, museum collaboration, and public education on the lives and legacies of enslaved artisans. ________________________________________ About Reparative Genealogy Reparative Genealogy, founded by Kellie Marie Farrish, conducts historical and genealogical research in support of cultural restitution, descendant verification, and institutional accountability. The firm collaborates with museums, attorneys, and community organizations nationwide to restore the stories and rights of families whose ancestors were dispossessed through slavery, segregation, or systemic inequity. Press Inquiries: For interviews or background, please contact 📧 KellieFarrish@descendantsofdave.org 🌐 www.descendantsofdave.org