CONNECTICUT Trail TRAVEL ctfreedomtrail.org the Freedom Trail! In recognizing the importance to of numerous sites in the state that are associated with the heritage and movement towards freedom of Connecticut’s African American citizens, in 1995, the Connecticut General check our website where you Assembly authorized that these locations be developed can find details about every site into a Freedom Trail. on the Trail. The Connecticut Freedom Trail is proof of the rich look at the calendar to see Freedom historic spirit that is alive and well in the beautiful state Trail events going on throughout the state during September, Connecticut’s of Connecticut. The Freedom Trail is home to over 120 Freedom Trail Month. heritage sites in nearly 50 towns including: buildings reported to have been used on the ; stay tuned to our Site of the sites associated with the Amistad Case of 1839-1842; and Month, which highlights a different gravesites, monuments, homes and other structures that Freedom Trail site each month. embody the struggle toward freedom and human dignity find out how to get your and celebrate the accomplishments of the state’s African property listed on the Connecticut American community. Freedom Trail. In the following pages, please find a brief guide to many of the sites on the Freedom Trail. For easy reference, the last page contains information on sites open to the public as museums.

So go on and travel the Freedom Trail, escape on the Underground Railroad, sail the Amistad and explore the concept of freedom! It’s a great ride to freedom and you are free to take it!

We hope you enjoy traveling the Freedom Trail!

Administration of the Connecticut Freedom Trail is the responsibility of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT) and the Amistad Committee, Inc. of New Haven. Be sure not to miss the kids only section where you can color your [PP] very own Freedom Trail Quilt or learn about Private William Webb and what it PRIVATE PROPERTY Some of the sites described herein are private property and can only be was like to be a soldier in Connecticut’s all-black 29th Regiment! observed from a public road. Grounds of a private property should not be entered or an owner approached. A property owner can have anyone arrested on his/her property, whether or not a “No Trespassing” sign is posted. L to R: House, Bloomfield; Old State House, Hartford; Hart Porter Homestead, ; Joseph Rainey House, Windsor Connecticut State Library

The Amistad Case 4

Amistad Sites in Connecticut 6

Abolitionism and the Underground Railroad 10 in Connecticut Table of Underground Railroad Stops in Connecticut 15 African American Churches 16 CONTENTS Pioneering Women of Color 20 Art and Monuments 24

Freedom Trail Map 28

Concept of Freedom 30

Sites Index 32

Freedom Trail Sites Open to the Public 36

ctfreedomtrail.org

Shaker Village, Enfield National Register of Historic Places, CCT Replica of The Amistad Case Amistad America, Inc.

On June 28, 1839, the Spanish ship La Amistad left a port in Havana, Cuba with 49 men, 1 boy and 3 girls kidnapped from Mendeland, Africa, modern-day . They were being taken to Puerto Principe, Cuba for a lifetime of . Before the ship reached its destination, the Mende Africans seized control and forced the Spanish owners to sail towards Africa, using the sun as a guide. At night, however, the owners sailed northward, hoping to come ashore in a Southern slave state in America. Instead, the ship entered the waters of Long Island Sound where the U.S. Navy took it into custody. The vessel was towed into New London harbor and moored at Lawrence Wharf, near the U.S. Custom House. The Mende Africans were eventually placed in jail in New Haven while their fate became a major legal case that took two years to resolve. Although the primary issue was whether the Mende Africans were to be considered slaves or free, the long process led the public’s attention to focus on the rights of in the and on moral, social, religious, diplomatic and political questions. Former President successfully defended the Mende Africans before the U.S. Supreme Court, and in February 1841, they were declared free. In March 1841, the Mende Africans were sent to Farmington to live while funds were raised for their return home to Sierra Leone, Africa. In November, the 37 surviving Mende Africans sailed towards their homeland as free individuals. Along with them were five missionaries who were sent under the auspices of the newly formed Union Missionary Society, a forerunner of the American Missionary Association. The group reached Sierra Leone in January 1842.

Cinque, painting by Nathaniel Jocelyn, 1840 New Haven Museum

4 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 5 Amistad

First Church of Christ, Congregational, SITES Farmington in Connecticut Whitney Bayers, CCT

Farmington Norton House Union Hall The Farmington Historical Society, 11 Mountain Spring Road [PP] 13 Church Street [PP] 138 Main Street, offers guided tours Norton (1795-1869) Church women met here in 1841 of those sites associated with the was a major supporter of the Mende to sew clothing for the Mende Amistad Case. Africans and was also a founding Africans when they came to town. member of the Farmington Anti- This property is privately owned Austin F. Williams House Slavery Society in 1836. This home and not open to the public. and Carriage House is privately owned and not open 127 Main Street [PP] to the public. The carriage house on this property was the primary home for the Mende Reverend Noah Porter House Africans during their stay in Farmington. 116 Main Street [PP] This site is privately owned and not Noah Porter (c. 1782-1866) was the open to the public. minister of the First Church of Christ, Congregational and an abolitionist. Canal House and Pitkin Basin One of the Mende African girls, Margru, 128 Garden Street stayed with his family. This home The Pitkin Basin is the location where is privately owned and not open Foone, one of the Mende Africans, to the public. Austin F. Williams Carriage House, drowned while swimming. At the canal Farmington Riverside Cemetery Joanne Lawson, Farmington Historical Society house, the Mende Africans embarked on the Farmington Canal to other Garden Street towns to give exhibitions and raise Riverside Cemetery is where Foone, money for their return to Africa. one of the Mende Africans, is buried. Notable abolitionists interred here include Austin F. Williams, John Foone’s Grave, Riverside Cemetery, First Church of Christ, Farmington, CT Congregational Treadwell Norton and Samuel Deming. Cora Murray, CCT 75 Main Street The First Church supported the Mende Samuel Deming Store Africans through its members who 2 Mill Lane provided clothing, housing, education When the Mende Africans arrived in and Christian teaching to them while Farmington, Samuel Deming (b. 1798) they lived in Farmington. provided second-floor quarters at his store. The space was later set up as a school where they attended classes. [*] Indicates a site open to the public as a museum. [PP] Indicates private property.

6 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 7 Hartford New Haven Museum Old State House 114 Whitney Avenue [*] 800 Main Street [*] The New Haven Museum contains One of several trials that involved many artifacts related to the Amistad the fate of the Mende Africans was trial, including a portrait of Joseph held here. At the gate to the entrance Cinque, the leader of the Mende on Main Street, there is a statue of Africans who revolted on La Amistad. Cinque, the leader of the kidnapped Mende Africans, at the top of a Baldwin flagpole. The building is a National Law Office Old State House, Hartford Historic Landmark. 123 Church Street [PP] Robert Gregson, CCT (1793-1863), Center Church on the Green L , New Haven and abolitionist, ( ) Litchfield United Church on the Green (R), Law School represented the Mende Africans New Haven Green, New Haven 82 South Street [*] before the U.S. Circuit and District Michael Melford It was here that the first curriculum Courts in Connecticut, 1839-1840. for practicing was With John Quincy Adams, he won established. Defending attorney for freedom for the Mende Africans the Mende Africans, Roger Sherman before the U.S. Supreme Court in Baldwin (1793-1863), studied law 1841. This building is privately at this school. owned and not open to the public. United Church on the Green New Haven 323 Temple Street Battell Chapel This building was originally known as [PP] Elm and College Streets the North Church (Congregational), Battell Chapel represents the role U.S. Custom House, New London which merged with the Third Church New London Maritime Society that Yale Divinity School faculty and (Congregational) in 1884 to create Roger Sherman Baldwin students played in assisting the Mende Connecticut State Library the United Church. Several members Africans. This property is privately of the two earlier congregations owned and not open to the public. were abolitionists who assisted New Haven’s free black community. They Center Church on the Green included Roger Sherman Baldwin, 250 Temple Street Nathaniel and and Center Church had a congregation the Reverend Samuel Dutton. that was involved in developing Tapping Reeve Law School, Litchfield support for the Mende Africans. Jack McConnell New London Freedom Schooner Amistad Custom House Maritime Museum 389 Long Wharf Drive [*] 150 Bank Street [*] The Freedom Schooner Amistad is a The U.S. Custom House, built in 1833, replica of the historic cargo ship and was where the cargo of La Amistad travels as an educational ambassador, was auctioned in October, 1840. teaching lessons of history, cooperation The Custom House is a museum as and leadership in the many ports well as a working Custom House. Amistad Plaque, U.S. Custom House, it visits. Long Wharf is the replica’s New London home port. New London Maritime Society

New Haven Museum, New Haven [*] Indicates a site open to the Whitney Bayers, CCT public as a museum. [PP] Indicates private property.

8 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 9 House owned by Isaac Truitt, Leverett Beman Historic District, 11 Vine Street, Middletown Janice Cunningham, CCT

Underground Railroad Slavery existed in America from the earliest period of colonial settlement at the beginning of the 17th century until it was abolished in 1865 by passage of the 13th Amendment. While some slaves became free through legal means, many who wanted freedom chose to escape from their owners and find a safe location. This practice began during America’s colonial period and led to laws that penalized persons who assisted and the runaway slaves. In 1793, the United States government passed its Fugitive Slave Act that allowed for the capture and return to slavery of Underground Railroad any runaway slave living in a free state. As it developed over the years, the Underground Railroad, which was neither underground nor a railroad, in Connecticut provided a series of safe havens, or stations, for fugitive slaves who were making their way to the Northern states, Canada or other locations.

Abolition The North Star was a guide for runaway slaves leaving the South, but once The abolitionist movement in Connecticut on the Underground Railroad, the participants were conducted by foot, and elsewhere involved both white and wagon, horse or boat to a private house, barn or church where they would African American individuals, free and be hidden until it was possible to send them to the next northward-bound enslaved, male and female, famous and location. This operation required the cooperation of free African Americans, not famous who committed themselves Native Americans and whites. It also required secrecy since free participants to work together to eradicate slavery. In could be charged with breaking the law in helping slaves escape their 1837, in its Fourth Annual Report, the owners. This secrecy has made it difficult to document fully what American Anti-Slavery Society identified buildings in Connecticut were used in the Underground Railroad 29 anti-slavery societies in Connecticut. and often this information survived only in oral tradition. To accomplish their goal, abolitionists Young William Winters Deep River Historical Society Fugitive slaves entered Connecticut at a number of points. Some passed employed various methods including through the state by way of Stamford, New Haven or Old Lyme, often colonization schemes, legal and political traveling on to Farmington, the “Grand Central Station” in Connecticut. action, emphasizing slavery as a sin and From there they headed north to Westfield or Springfield, Massachusetts. “moral suasion” or appealing to the ethical Some traveled to Springfield by way of Middletown, Hartford and other principles of the public to convince them communities along the Connecticut River. Those who passed through the that slavery was wrong. The weapons state by way of New London or Westerly, Rhode Island, went north to used included anti-slavery publications, Norwich and Putnam, and then to Worcester, Massachusetts. A western conferences, public speeches, purchases, Connecticut route included Waterbury, New Milford, Washington, legal challenges, petitions to the Torrington, Winchester and Winsted. Slaves escaping on the Underground General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, Railroad would sometimes choose to settle in communities along the Underground Railroad activity and way. There are several examples of these communities on the Freedom even armed rebellion. Unpopular even Trail, including “Little Liberia” in Bridgeport, Jail Hill in Norwich and among some who opposed slavery, the William Winters Neighborhood in Deep River. abolitionists were often viewed as David Ruggles, Norwich, “fanatics” who jeopardized the undated charcoal print Some of the buildings listed cannot be documented with precision. Negro Almanac Collection, Amistad stability of the country. Research Center, Tulane University Their inclusion on the Freedom Trail, however, is based on written histories, studies and traditions.

10 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 11 Samuel Deming House William Winters 66 Main Street [PP] Deep River Historical Society This was the home of Samuel (b. 1798) and Catherine (b. 1801) Deming. Museum, Canterbury Deep River Samuel was an outspoken abolitionist. Jack McConnell William Winters Neighborhood Catherine was among many Sarah Harris, Winter Avenue and Mitchell Lane Farmington women who raised money student of Making his way from South Carolina and signed petitions to help the Prudence Crandall, to , Daniel Fisher Canterbury abolitionist cause. Their home was Bloomfield Prudence Crandall (c. 1808-1900) was assisted by an Underground Railroad station. Francis Gillette House Museum Underground Railroad agents. Fisher This home is privately owned and 545 Bloomfield Avenue [PP] walked from New Haven to Deep River. not open to the public. Francis Gillette (1807-1879), a Samuel May House Once settled in the town, he changed prominent abolitionist and politician, 73 Pomfret Road [PP] his name to William Winters and wore Smith-Cowles House sheltered slaves on the Underground Reverend Samuel May (1798-1875) was a wig to avoid capture and return to 27 Main Street [PP] Railroad in his home during the early one of the first members of the National enslavement in South Carolina. Winters Horace (1782-1841) and Mary Ann years of the movement. This home Anti-Slavery Society. When Prudence later owned property around Winter (1784-1837) Cowles were is privately owned and not open Crandall wanted to open a school for Avenue, a street named for him. Underground Railroad stationmasters to the public. black girls in nearby Canterbury, Samuel A small but stable African American who hid fugitive slaves here. This May came to her aid and was also a community was established in this area home is privately owned and not Brooklyn great supporter of Crandall through as family, friends and others migrated open to the public. Friendship Valley her trial. This home is privately owned from the South. Winters is buried in 60 Pomfret Road [PP] and not open to the public. the Fountain Hill Cemetery nearby. This was the home (built c. 1795) of abolitionist George Benson (1752-1836) Unitarian Meeting House Enfield and family, staunch supporters of 7 Hartford Road Shaker Village Prudence Crandall and her school in Samuel May became the church’s first Shaker Road near Taylor Road [PP] Canterbury. During her trial, Crandall Unitarian pastor in 1822. He was a This area was once occupied by the and some of her students stayed the reformer, organizing a temperance only Shaker settlement in Connecticut. night here. Abolitionist and editor of society, the Windham County Peace Dissenting from many activities of The Liberator, Society and speaking out against slavery. American society, the Shakers were was married to Benson’s daughter, He supported Prudence Crandall and associated with reform movements, Helen Eliza Benson, in the parlor of spoke for her at a Canterbury town including feminism, pacifism and Friendship Valley in 1834. This home meeting since at that time it was not abolitionism. The diary of one member is privately owned and not open to considered appropriate for women records the visits of fugitive slaves to Abby and Julia Smith, Glastonbury the public. to do so. the settlement, including Sojourner Historical Society of Glastonbury Truth, who spoke at the meeting Old Windham County Courthouse Canterbury house on Shaker Road. This property Glastonbury (Brooklyn Town Hall) Prudence Crandall Museum is privately owned and not open Kimberly Mansion 4 Wolf Den Road 1 South Canterbury Road [*] to the public. 1625 Main Street [PP] The Prudence Crandall trial was held In 1833, Prudence Crandall (1803-1890) The Smith family used this house as here on August 23, 1833. Crandall was opened this house as a boarding school Farmington a base for its anti-slavery activities jailed for one night in the basement for young African American women, an Elijah Lewis House throughout the . The five of the courthouse following her action which led to harassment by 1 Mountain Spring Road [PP] Smith sisters and their parents hosted trial. Mary, one of George Benson’s neighbors, passage of a state law against Elijah Lewis (b. 1810) was an abolitionist abolitionist meetings, permitted anti- daughters, voluntarily spent the her work and her being jailed for one in Farmington and the home he lived in slavery lectures on the lawn, distributed night with Crandall in her cell. night. Crandall’s effort to provide equal has been identified as an Underground literature and obtained signatures education in this house was a rarity for Railroad station. Lewis sheltered on anti-slavery petitions. This home [*] Indicates a site open to the the times. Her actions helped solidify fugitive slaves in a space at the base is privately owned and not open public as a museum. attitudes against slavery. In 1995, of his chimney. This home is privately to the public. [PP] Indicates private property. Crandall was designated as owned and not open to the public. Connecticut’s State Heroine. 12 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 13 Middletown Stonington John Brown’s birthplace, detail, Torrington Benjamin Douglas House Greenmanville Historic District Connecticut Historical Society 11 South Main Street [PP] Mystic Seaport Benjamin Douglas (1816-1894) was 75 Greenmanville Avenue [*] an ardent abolitionist. This building The Greenman brothers founded a Torrington was his home and he was active in shipyard here in 1837 and became John Brown Birthplace Site House, Hartford the Underground Railroad. His home social leaders in the community that Robert Gregson, CCT may have served as a stop for run- grew around it. The abolitionist John Brown Road away slaves. This home is privately brothers donated to antislavery causes One of the most owned and not open to the public. and helped to establish a Seventh-Day famous abolitionists Portrait of John Hampton Baptist church, a denomination that in America was John Brown, detail House West Burying Ground Brown (1800-1859). Yale Collection of denounced slavery. Oral tradition places , 77 Parsonage Road [PP] Washington and Vine Streets the home of George Greenman as a In 1859, his armed Beinecke Rare Book Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-1895) Many residents of the Leverett Beman stop on the Underground Railroad. raid on the U.S. and Manuscript Library was born in this house and lived Historic District, a 19th century arsenal at Harper’s here until 1825. In February 1834, neighborhood made up of free blacks, Ferry, Virginia, for the purpose of students and faculty of the Lane are buried here. Among them are the ending slavery, foreshadowed the Seminary in , Ohio held graves of several 29th Regiment Civil War. the first major public debates to soldiers and local homeowners such answer the question: “Ought the as Isaac Truitt. Fanny Beman, mother People of the Slaveholding States of black abolitionists Leverett and to abolish Slavery immediately?” Amos Beman, is buried here as well. Freedom Trail Quilt Square, Weld masterminded the idea of Hart Porter Homestead debates on slavery and was the New London Underground Connecticut State Library key force behind the Lane Debates. Joshua Hempsted House This home is privately owned 11 Hempstead Street [*] Railroad and not open to the public. The 1678 Joshua Hempsted House, owned by Connecticut Landmarks, Hartford is open to the public and contains Harriet Beecher Stowe Center a family archive of early abolitionist 77 Forest Street [*] papers. In the 19th century, a school Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), was established in the house and author of ’s Cabin (1852), among the students were several Stops an antislavery novel of enormous African American children. in Connecticut impact in the United States, moved to Hartford in 1864 and resided here Norwich James Davis House Asa Seymour Curtis House until her death in 1896. Her home David Ruggles Gravesite 111 Goose Lane, Guilford [PP] 2016 Elm Street, Stratford [PP] is operated as a museum by the Yantic Cemetery Hart Porter House and Isaiah Tuttle House Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, which Lafayette and Williams Streets Outbuilding 4040 Torringford Street, maintains a collection that interprets David Ruggles (1810-1849) was 465 Porter Street, Manchester [PP] Torrington [PP] her life and work. born in Norwich Connecticut and made a name for himself in New John Randall House Uriel Tuttle House York City as a bookseller, journalist, 41 Norwich-Westerly Road 3925 Torringford Street, abolitionist, Underground Railroad (Route 2), North Stonington [PP] Torrington [PP] conductor and founding member of the Vigilance Committee. Steven Peck House The Ovals 32 Lyme Street, Old Lyme [PP] 36 Seeley Road, Wilton [PP] Washband (Washburn) Tavern [*] Indicates a site open to the *The buildings listed above are privately 90 Oxford Road, Oxford [PP] owned and not open to the public. public as a museum. [PP] Indicates private property.

14 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 15 Cemetery at Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion, Windsor African American Churches Len Hellerman

Throughout American history, black churches have been at the forefront in the battle for social progress and equality. Many African American congregations were formed in response to discrimination by white congregations. Foremost among these were the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church (1794) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E.Z.) Church (1796). The following churches have always played a valuable role as religious, intellectual and political centers in the African American community.

*There are four churches on the Connecticut Freedom Trail that are listed in the Amistad section of this brochure because of their important contributions in aiding the Mende Africans.

A. M. E. and A. M. E. Zion Churches In 1794 in Philadelphia, Richard Allen and his followers left St. George’s Methodist Church, assembled in Allen’s house and organized Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was not until 1816, however, that Bethel was declared to be an independent church by the Supreme Court. Similarly, in 1796, black members of the John Street Methodist Church in City, led by Peter Williams, left that church and organized a separate African chapel. In 1801, the chapel was incorporated as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of . Determined to distinguish themselves from the A.M.E. Church based in Philadelphia, the Zionists, with representatives from New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, convened their first annual conference in June 1821 in New York City. This conference marked the official beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination. The A.M.E. Zion denomination became known as “The Freedom Church” because of its work with the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement. Among its membership Faith Congregational Church, Hartford Robert Gregson, CCT were noted abolitionists , , Frederick Douglas, Catherine Harris and Reverends Jermain Louguen and Thomas James. 16 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 17 First Baptist Church Middletown 10 Northfield Street Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church Located in Greenwich’s historic Fourth 160 Cross Street Ward neighborhood and founded The congregation began in 1823, and in 1897, the First Baptist Church is a building was erected in 1830 under the second of two African American the leadership of Reverend Jehiel Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, congregations established in Greenwich Bridgeport Beman, who led the congregation in Cora Murray, CCT during the 19th century. the antislavery cause. The church continued to be a community leader Bridgeport Hartford during the Civil Rights movement of the Walters Memorial Faith Congregational Church late and 60s. The congregation Sandy Archer, founder of Archer A.M.E. Zion Church 2030 Main Street participated in protest marches and Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Windsor 12 Gregory Street This church was established in 1819 was witness to numerous visits and Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church This building is one of few remaining when Hartford’s African Americans, speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminders of an earlier African American rejecting seating in the galleries of In 1965, to help black students go to community known as “Little Liberia.” white churches, began to worship in college, the Reverend William Davage Varick A.M.E. Zion Church Made up of free blacks, former slaves the conference room of the First Church founded the Greater Middletown 242 Dixwell Avenue and their descendants, and migrants of Christ. Today, Negro Youth Scholarship Fund. Varick African Methodist Episcopal Zion from the South, this community this congregation Church was organized in 1818 when supported two churches, a school, a is known as Faith Milford African Americans left the Methodist hotel and a number of individual homes. Congregational First Baptist Church Church to form their own congregation. Church. Reverends 28 North Street The church was affiliated with the James W. C. Recognizing African American Zionist movement of James Varick, Greenwich who helped lead a separation from Little Bethel A.M.E. Church Pennington and participation in the Revolutionary War, white Methodism because African 44 Lake Avenue Portrait of the Amos Beman are the names of six black soldiers are American preachers were not permitted Little Bethel A.M.E. Church was Reverend James also associated displayed on a memorial marker in to be ordained. It was here that Booker the first African American church W.C. Pennington with this church. front of the First Baptist Church. The T. Washington made his last public in Greenwich, established in 1883. soldiers named are: Job Caesar, Pomp speech before his death in 1915. Through the years, the church Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church Cyrus, Juba Freeman, Peter Gibbs, has acted as a religious and social 2051 Main Street William Sower and Congo Zado. center for the African American This church was established in the early Plainville community. The current building 1830s. The first pastor was Hosea Easton, New Haven Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church was constructed in 1921. an African American protest writer, Dixwell Avenue 110 Whiting Street who raised funds to replace the church Congregational Church Organized in 1903, the congregation building when it burned in 1836. The 217 Dixwell Avenue built its church structure a year later. new structure on Elm Street also Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church Throughout the 19th century members provided a school for African American was founded in 1820 under the have been leaders in Plainville and children. In 1929, the church moved direction of Simeon Jocelyn. James have provided a voice for the to its present location on Main Street. W. C. Pennington was the first African black community. American minister of this church. Union Baptist Church Amos Beman (son of Jehiel Beman) Windsor 1921 Main Street was also a pastor here. Both were Archer Memorial Union Baptist Church leaders and well-known African American A.M.E. Zion Church members have made significant leaders in the state. 321 Hayden Station Road contributions to the state’s early Archer A.M.E. Zion Church proved to Civil Rights movement by helping to Charles Lester O’Neil, be an important institution in the lives establish influential organizations. founder, Redeemer’s of Windsor’s African American citizenry. Little Bethel A.M.E. Church, Greenwich Members included the first African Whitney Bayers, CCT A.M.E. Zion Church, This was particularly true for those Americans in the city to teach in the Plainville who settled the Hayden Station Gail Williams public school system and to serve on area during the 19th century. the school board, the welfare board and the police department. 18 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 19 Pioneering Women of Color

The following women worked throughout their lifetimes to break the color barrier. As African Americans and as women, they often faced discrimination on two fronts. These powerful black women have challenged the inequities of society and worked toward Studio, Danbury Museum & Historical Society, Danbury equality for all people. Whitney Bayers, CCT

Bridgeport Danbury Hartford Mary & Eliza Freeman Houses Marian Anderson Studio Marietta Canty House 352-54 and 358-60 Main Street [PP] Danbury Museum & 61 Mahl Avenue [PP] These buildings are the last two Historical Society Marietta Canty (1905-1986) was an houses to survive of “Little Liberia,” 43 Main Street [*] actress who received critical acclaim for a settlement of black freedmen that Marian Anderson’s husband, her performances in theatre, radio, began in 1831. Sisters Mary architect Orpheus H. Fisher motion pictures and television, but was (1815-1883) and Eliza (1805-1863) (1899-1986), designed and built limited to portraying domestic servant Freeman were African American her an acoustic rehearsal studio, roles throughout her professional women of prominence who used these at Marianna Farm. The studio was career. In accepting such roles and properties as rentals while they donated to the Danbury Museum performing them with dignity, Canty, lived and worked in New York City. Portrait of Nancy Toney, Windsor & Historical Society and moved like other African American actors As property owners and respected The Loomis Chaffee School Archives to the museum’s Main Street and actresses of her day, maintained members of the community, the property in 1999. a presence for minority performers Freeman sisters overcame significant Anna Louise James, in the entertainment industry. Her obstacles. These homes are privately Old Saybrook involvement in social activism in owned and not open to the public. Private Collection Hartford, following her retirement further increased her status as a Danbury pioneer in advancing opportunities Marian Anderson House for women and minorities. This home Marianna Farm Road [PP] is privately owned and not open Marietta Canty, at her home in Hartford to the public. Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was Connecticut Historical Society a world-renowned singer and the first African American artist to , perform at the Old Saybrook in New York City. Perhaps her most Private Collection famous concert took place on the steps of the in 1939, after she was denied permission to sing at Constitution Hall. The concert was attended by 75,000 people. A year later, she purchased property in Danbury, which became known as “Marianna Farm,” where she and her husband lived. This home [*] Indicates a site open to the is privately owned and not open public as a museum. to the public. [PP] Indicates private property.

20 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 21 Mary Townsend Seymour Gravesite Old North Cemetery North Main Street “Something Martha Minerva Mary Townsend Seymour (1873-1957) Franklin Gravesite, was a leader and an activist in early plaque detail, which we think is 20th century Hartford who battled Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden for equal rights. Her numerous Whitney Bayers, CCT impossible now accomplishments include co-founding the Hartford Chapter of the National New London is not impossible Association for the Advancement of Flora Hercules Gravesite Colored People (NAACP), campaigning Antientist Burial Ground in another decade.” for women’s suffrage and running Hempstead and Granite Streets for the Connecticut State Assembly Offering evidence of the existence of in 1920, making her the first African Black Governors in Connecticut during American woman to run for a the 18th century, the headstone of state office. Flora Hercules (c. 1689-1749) notes that she was the wife of Hercules, “Governor of the Negroes.” Meriden Chester Higgins Martha Minerva Franklin Gravesite Walnut Grove Cemetery Old Saybrook 817 Old Colony Road James Pharmacy Constance Baker Motley (1921 -2005) Martha Minerva Franklin (1870-1968) 2 Pennywise Lane founded the National Association for Anna Louise James (1886-1977) was Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) in the first African American woman, and Constance Baker Motley was a trailblazing New York City in 1908. At the time, the one of the first women, to become a lawyer in the forefront of many major civil American Nursing Association (ANA) pharmacist in the state. She was also rights cases throughout the mid-20th century. did not accept women of color. After among the first women who registered After graduating from to vote when women’s suffrage years of dedication, Franklin saw in 1946, Motley was hired by Thurgood her goal of integration realized when was passed in 1920. This site is also the NACGN merged with the ANA the birthplace of James’ niece, Marshall to work as a for the in 1951. Franklin was posthumously Renaissance writer Ann Petry National Association for the Advancement (1908-1997), whose most famous inducted into the ANA Hall of of Colored People. In 1950, Motley wrote Childhood Home of Constance Fame in 1976. work was the novel, The Street. the draft complaint for the landmark case, Baker Motley, New Haven Brown v. Board of Education 1954 , which Cora Murray, CCT New Haven ( ) ended segregation in schools. Over the following decade she successfully Hannah Gray House 235 Dixwell Avenue [PP] argued numerous other civil rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, Hannah Gray (c. 1803-1861) was a becoming the first African American woman to do so. In 1964, Motley laundress and seamstress who used was the first woman elected to the New York State Senate and in 1965, part of her income to promote the James Pharmacy, Old Saybrook the first woman to become president of the Borough of . antislavery movement and support Cora Murray, CCT In addition to her accomplishments as an attorney, Motley was the her church. Through her will, Gray donated her house at 158 Dixwell Windsor first African American woman to be appointed a federal judge of the Avenue (no longer standing) to be Nancy Toney Gravesite United States in 1966. She became a chief judge in 1982 and served used as a refuge for “indigent colored Palisado Cemetery, Palisado Avenue the Southern District of New York as a senior judge for the rest of her When Connecticut passed its full females.” The present Hannah Gray life. Motley made outstanding strides in the movement for social Home at 235 Dixwell Avenue, acquired emancipation law in 1848, many justice and equality during the 20th century. Constance Baker Motley in 1911, continues operation in freedmen continued to live with their accordance with its founder’s goals. former owners. It is believed that Nancy is an inspiring reminder of what is possible in a few short decades. This home is privately owned and Toney (c. 1775-1857), a former slave of Motley’s childhood home is in New Haven at 8 Garden Street. the Chaffee/Loomis family of Windsor, not open to the public. The home is privately owned and not open to the public. was the last survivor of this group. 22 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 23 Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Hartford Robert Gregson, CCT Art & Monuments

The following sculptures and memorials recognize heroic soldiers and historic events in African American history. All of the sites are publicly accessible.

Groton Hartford Battlefield African American Memorial State Park Ancient Burying Ground 57 Fort Street 60 Gold Street Two African American defenders fought During three years of archival research, in the 1781 Battle of Fort Griswold, middle school students in Hartford one of few locations in Connecticut and their teacher uncovered evidence where a Revolutionary War battle took that over 300 African Americans, place. A special plaque, dedicated as well as five Black Governors of at a ceremony in 1911, depicts the Connecticut, were buried here in heroic act of one of the black citizens, unmarked graves. To commemorate Jordan Freeman, as he helped spear these forgotten souls, this large a British officer. slate monument is inscribed with documented names and interment dates.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument Bushnell Park 31 Pratt Street The Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Memorial Arch) of 1886 honors those from Hartford who served in the Civil War. A marker noting the contributions of African Americans Amistad Memorial, New Haven in the war was added to the Whitney Bayers, CCT monument during a restoration in 1988. A sculpture of a black man breaking the chains of bondage Plaque commemorating fallen British and holding a book is also featured. Major, William Montgomery at Griswold Battlefield State Park, Groton Mary Donohue, CCT

24 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 25 Soldiers‘ and Sailors‘ Monument Park 41 Cold Spring Street Dedicated June 1887, this 110-foot monument stands at the summit of East Rock Park, commemorating the New Haven soldiers who fell in four wars. The names of the soldiers who died in the Civil War, including those from the 29th Colored Regiment, are listed on two tablets at the monument’s base.

Stamford Park of Fame 29th Colored Regiment Monument, Richmond Hill Avenue and Criscuolo Park Crsicuolo Park, New Haven West Main Street James and Chapel Streets Robert Gregson, CCT Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was the first black player in , breaking the Connecticut 29th Colored color line in an historic game on April 15, 1947. For nearly twenty Regiment Monument years, Robinson lived with his family in Stamford. In a downtown park Amistad Memorial, New Haven named for the famous player, stands Criscuolo Park in 1863 was a very different Whitney Bayers, CCT a life-size bronze statue of Robinson place than it is today. In the fall of that with an engraved base bearing the year, in the midst of the Civil War, more words “COURAGE,” “CONFIDENCE” New Haven and “PERSEVERANCE.” than 900 black recruits for the 29th Amistad Memorial Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers 165 Church Street mustered and trained to fight for their The Amistad Memorial (1992) pays country on those grounds. One year earlier, tribute to Joseph Cinque and the other Mende Africans who escaped the governor opposed enlisting black troops, slavery in 1839 by commandeering but as the war wore on, it became difficult the Spanish ship La Amistad. The to meet enlistment demands. As the first memorial by sculptor Ed Hamilton all-black regiment in Connecticut, the stands where the New Haven Jail troops of the 29th endured racism and was located at the time the Mende Alexander H. Newton, African captives were housed there. discrimination. They received lower pay Commissary Sergeant, 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers than white troops and were often ordered Alexander H. Newton, “Out of the Briars,” Edward A. Bouchet Monument to the back of the corps. Still, the Regiment (Philadelphia: A.M.E. Book Concern, 1910). Evergreen Cemetery fought valiantly in several engagements in Virginia and the men of the 92 Winthrop Avenue 29th were the first infantry units to enter Richmond after it was abandoned With a major in physics, Dr. Edward A. Bouchet was the first African American by the Confederate Army. A few days later, they witnessed history when to obtain a doctorate in any discipline President Lincoln visited the city and the bloody war was over. Dedicated and the first to be inducted into Phi Jackie Robinson Statue, in 2008, the monument at Criscuolo Park commemorates the soldiers Beta Kappa. A headstone monument Jackie Robinson Park of Fame, Stamford of the Connecticut 29th Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry. The memorial to Dr. Bouchet was unveiled in Mary Donohue, CCT October 1998. was designed by sculptor Ed Hamilton, who also created the Amistad Memorial in downtown New Haven. 26 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 27 Freedom Trail

MAPFreedom Trail

North 1 site Suffield Norfolk East Canaan 91 Enfield 4 1 site Granby 2 sites 8 1 site 5 sites Putnam Barkhamsted 2 sites 1 site 8 1 site Windsor 3 sites Bloomfield Vernon 2 sites 1 site Brooklyn Torrington 1 site West 16 sites Manchester Hampton Litchfield Hartford 4 sites 12 sites Hartford 2 sites 6 395 Farmington Wethersfield 1 site Newington 1 site Glastonbury Canterbury 7 Plainville 1 site 1 site Hebron 2 sites 2 sites Griswold 1 site 2 Colchester New 4 sites 3 sites 1 site Waterbury Middletown Milford Meriden Norwich 1 site East Salem 8 1 site Haddam North 84 Oxford 9 Stonington 1 site 91 Chester 1 site 395 1 site 1 site Deep River New Groton Danbury Seymour London 2 sites 2 sites Ansonia 21 sites New 1 site 4 sites 7 Derby Haven Guilford 1 site Stonington 2 sites 1 site 95 1 site Milford Old Old 1 site Trumbull Saybrook Lyme Wilton Bridgeport 1 site Stratford 2 sites 2 sites 1 site Westport 1 site 95 Norwalk 2 sites Stamford Greenwich

Based on an historic map of Connecticut, delineated & engraved by A. Doolittle Connecticut Historical Society

28 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 29 Manchester Walter Bunce House 34 Bidwell Street [PP] Meriden George Jeffrey House Charles Ethan Porter 66 Hillside Avenue [PP] Vernon Historical Society Freedom Trail Quilt, Middletown Putnam Charles W. Morgan Leverett Beman Historic District Thomas Taylor Gravesite Connecticut State Library Cross and Vine Streets 247 Grove Street Milford Soldiers Monument Stonington Milford Cemetery Charles W. Morgan House, Enfield Enfield Historical Society Prospect Street Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Avenue [*] New Haven Goffe Street School Trumbull Prince Hall Masonic Temple Nero Hawley Gravesite Concept of Freedom 106 Goffe Street [PP] Riverside Cemetery Daniel’s Farm Road Barkhamstead Grove Street Cemetery Lighthouse Archaeological Site 227 Grove Street Vernon Charles Ethan Porter House People’s State Forest Long Wharf 17 Spruce Street [PP] 106 East River Road [*] 389 Long Wharf Drive Porter Family Plot Colchester The People’s Center Grove Hill Cemetery Benjamin Trumbull House 37 Howe Street [PP] 80 Broad Street [PP] 22 Cemetery Avenue Trowbridge Square Historic District Waterbury Old District Schoolhouse for City Point Area Colored Children Site Weld Monument, Hopkins Street Center Town Green Old North Cemetery, Hartford Westville Cemetery 34 Hopkins Street [PP] 98 Hayward Avenue Whitney Bayers, CCT Whalley Avenue West Hartford East Haddam Hartford William Lanson Site Bristol Gravesite Venture Smith Grave Boce W. Barlow, Jr. House Lock Street at Canal Old Center Burying Yard First Church Cemetery 31 Canterbury Street [PP] 28 North Main Street 489 Town Street New London Frank T. Simpson House Hempstead Historic District Westport Enfield 27 Keney Terrace [PP] Area around 11 Hempstead Street Green Farms Burying Ground Paul Robeson House Green Farms Road 1221 Enfield Street[PP] Freedom Trail Quilts Norfolk Museum of Connecticut History, James Mars Gravesite Henry and Lyzette Munroe House Griswold Connecticut State Library Center Cemetery 108 Cross Highway [PP] Glasgo Village 231 Capitol Avenue [*] Old Colony Road Wethersfield Route 201 and 165 Lemuel R. Custis Gravesite North Canaan Ancient Burying Ground Cemetery Milo Freeland Gravesite Main and Marsh Streets 453 Fairfield Avenue Hillside Cemetery Route 44 Old North Cemetery North Main Street Norwalk Village Creek Historic District Wadsworth Atheneum Dock Road 600 Main Street [*] Norwich Wilfred X. Johnson House Trowtrow Gravesite Joseph Rainey House, Windsor Robert Benson 206 Tower Avenue [PP] Old Burying Ground Hebron 69 Main Street Windsor Lemuel R. Custis bottom left , ( ) Cesar and Lowis Peters Jail Hill Historic District Joseph Rainey House Archaeological Site 299 Palisado Avenue [PP] Chanute Air Museum Fountain and Cedar Streets 150 East Street [PP] Plainville Riverside Cemetery East Street [*] Indicates a site open to the Litchfield West Cemetery public as a museum. Solomon Rowe House Route 177 William Best House [PP] Indicates private property. 121 North Lake Street [PP] 377 Hayden Station Road [PP]

30 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 31 Greenwich Bethel A.M.E. Church Sites 44 Lake Avenue First Baptist Church 10 Northfield Street Griswold Glasgo Village Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Route 201 and 165 African American Collection, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Groton Wadsworth Atheneum INDEXBarkhamstead East Haddam Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park 57 Fort Street [*] Lighthouse Archaeological Site Venture Smith Gravesite Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church People’s State Forest First Church Cemetery 2051 Main Street 106 East River Road [*] 489 Town Street Guilford James Davis House 111 Goose Lane [PP] Old North Cemetery Bloomfield Enfield North Main Street Francis Gillette House Paul Robeson House 545 Bloomfield Avenue [PP] 1221 Enfield Street [PP] Hampton Theodore Dwight Weld House Old State House 77 Parsonage Road [PP] 800 Main Street [*] Bridgeport Shaker Village Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses Shaker Road, near Taylor Road [PP] Soldiers and Sailors Monument 352-54 and 358-60 Main Street [PP] Bushnell Park Farmington 31 Pratt Street Austin F. Williams House and Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church Carriage House Union Baptist Church 12 Gregory Street 127 Main Street [PP] 1921 Main Street

Brooklyn Canal House and Pitkin Basin Wadsworth Atheneum Friendship Valley 128 Garden Street 600 Main Street [*] 60 Pomfret Road [PP] Elijah Lewis House African American Memorial, Hartford Wilfred X. Johnson House Old Windham County Courthouse 1 Mountain Spring Road [PP] Cora Murray, CCT 206 Tower Avenue [PP] Brooklyn Town Hall 4 Wolf Den Road Farmington Historical Society Hebron 138 Main Street [*] Hartford African American Memorial Cesar and Lowis Peters Samuel May House Ancient Burying Ground Archaeological Site 73 Pomfret Road [PP] First Church of Christ, Congregational 60 Gold Street 150 East Street [PP] 75 Main Street Unitarian Meeting House Boce W. Barlow, Jr. House Litchfield 7 Hartford Road Norton House 31 Canterbury Street [PP] Solomon Rowe House 11 Mountain Spring Road [PP] 121 North Lake Street [PP] Canterbury Faith Congregational Church Prudence Crandall House Reverend Noah Porter House 2030 Main Street Tapping Reeve Law School 1 South Canterbury Road [*] 116 Main Street [PP] 82 South Street [*] Frank T. Simpson House Colchester Riverside Cemetery 27 Keney Terrace [PP] Manchester Benjamin Trumbull House Garden Street Hart Porter House and Outbuilding 80 Broad Street [PP] Freedom Trail Quilts 465 Porter Street [PP] Samuel Deming House Museum of Connecticut History, Old District Schoolhouse for 66 Main Street [PP] Connecticut State Library Walter Bunce House Colored Children Site 231 Capitol Avenue [*] 34 Bidwell Street [PP] Town Green Samuel Deming Store 98 Hayward Avenue 2 Mill Lane Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Meriden 77 Forest Street [*] George Jeffrey House Danbury Smith-Cowles House 66 Hillside Avenue [PP] Marian Anderson House 27 Main Street [PP] Lemuel R. Custis Gravesite Marianna Farm Way [PP] Cedar Hill Cemetery Martha Minerva Franklin Gravesite Union Hall 453 Fairfield Avenue Walnut Grove Cemetery Marian Anderson Studio 13 Church Street [PP] 817 Old Colony Road Danbury Museum & Historical Society Marietta Canty House 43 Main Street [*] Glastonbury 61 Mahl Avenue [PP] Kimberly Mansion [*] Indicates a site open to the Deep River 1625 Main Street [PP] Mary Townsend Seymour Gravesite William Winters Neighborhood public as a museum. Old North Cemetery Winter Avenue and Mitchell Lane [PP] Indicates private property. North Main Street 32 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 33 Middletown Grove Street Cemetery, Norwalk Stratford Benjamin Douglas House New Haven Village Creek Historic District Asa Seymour Curtis House 11 South Main Street [PP] Robert Gregson, CCT Dock Road 2016 Elm Street [PP]

Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church Norwich Torrington 160 Cross Street Boston Trowtrow Gravesite Isaiah Tuttle House Roger Sherman Baldwin Law Office Old Burying Ground 4040 Torringford Street [PP] Leverett Beman Historic District 123 Church Street [PP] 69 Main Street Cross and Vine Streets John Brown Birthplace Site Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument David Ruggles Gravesite John Brown Road West Burying Ground East Rock Park Yantic Cemetery Washington and Vine Streets 41 Cold Spring Street Lafayette and Williams Streets Uriel Tuttle House 3925 Torringford Street [PP] Milford The People’s Center Jail Hill Historic District First Baptist Church 37 Howe Street [PP] Fountain and Cedar Streets Trumbull 28 North Street Nero Hawley Gravesite Trowbridge Square Historic District Old Lyme Riverside Cemetery Soldiers Monument City Point Area Steven Peck House Daniel’s Farm Road Milford Cemetery 32 Lyme Street [PP] Prospect Street United Church on the Green Vernon 323 Temple Street Old Saybrook Charles Ethan Porter House New Haven James Pharmacy 17 Spruce Street [PP] 29th Colored Regiment Monument Varick A.M.E. Zion Church 2 Pennywise Lane Criscuolo Park 242 Dixwell Avenue Porter Family Plot James and Chapel Streets Grove Hill Cemetery Westville Cemetery 22 Cemetery Avenue Amistad Memorial Whalley Avenue 165 Church Street Waterbury William Lanson Site Hopkins Street Center Battell Chapel Lock Street at Canal 34 Hopkins Street [PP] Elm and College Streets [PP] New London West Hartford Center Church on the Green Custom House Maritime Museum Bristol Gravesite 250 Temple Street U.S. Custom House George Greenman House, Stonington Old Center Burying Yard 150 Bank Street [*] Mystic Seaport 28 North Main Street Constance Baker Motley House Day and Garden Streets Flora Hercules Gravesite Oxford Westport 8 Garden Street [PP] Antientist Burial Ground Washband (Washburn) Tavern Green Farms Burying Ground Hempstead and Granite Streets 90 Oxford Road [PP] Green Farms Road Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church Hempstead Historic District Plainville Henry and Lyzette Munroe House 217 Dixwell Avenue Area around 11 Hempstead Street Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church 108 Cross Highway [PP] 110 Whiting Street Edward A. Bouchet Monument Joshua Hempsted House Wethersfield Evergreen Cemetery 11 Hempstead Street [*] West Cemetery Ancient Burying Ground 92 Winthrop Avenue Route 177 Main and Marsh Streets

Freedom Schooner Amistad Putnam Wilton Long Wharf Thomas Taylor Gravesite The Ovals 389 Long Wharf Drive [*] Grove Street Cemetery 36 Seeley Road [PP] 247 Grove Street Goffe Street School Joshua Hempstead House, New London Windsor Prince Hall Masonic Temple Connecticut Landmarks Stamford Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church 106 Goffe Street [PP] Jackie Robinson Park 320 Hayden Station Road Norfolk Hatch Field Grove Street Cemetery James Mars Gravesite Richmond Hill Avenue and Joseph Rainey House 227 Grove Street Center Cemetery West Main Street 299 Palisado Avenue [PP] Old Colony Road Hannah Gray House Stonington Palisado Cemetery 235 Dixwell Avenue [PP] North Canaan Charles W. Morgan Palisado Avenue Milo Freeland Gravesite Mystic Seaport Long Wharf Hillside Cemetery 75 Greenmanville Avenue [*] Riverside Cemetery 389 Long Wharf Drive Route 44 East Street Greenmanville New Haven Museum North Stonington Mystic Seaport William Best House 114 Whitney Avenue [*] John Randall House 75 Greenmanville Avenue [*] 377 Hayden Station Road [PP] 41 Norwich-Westerly Road (Route 2) [PP]

34 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 35 The Connecticut Freedom Trail Freedom Trail Quilts

SITESopen to the public

Barkhamstead Hartford New Haven Museum Lighthouse Freedom Trail Quilts 114 Whitney Avenue Archaeological Site Museum of Connecticut Tel 203.562.4183 People’s State Forest History, Connecticut 106 East River Road State Library New London Custom House Tel 860.379.2469 231 Capitol Avenue Northwestern Region North Central Region Tel 860.757.6535 Maritime Museum Canterbury 150 Bank Street Prudence Crandall House Harriet Beecher Tel 860.447.2501 1 South Canterbury Road Stowe Center Joshua Hempsted House Tel 860.546.7800 77 Forest Street Tel 860.522.9258 11 Hempstead Street Danbury Tel 860.443.7949 Old State House Museum Marian Anderson Studio Stonington Danbury Museum & 800 Main Street Charles W. Morgan Historical Society Tel 860.522.6766 Mystic Seaport 43 Main Street Wadsworth Atheneum 75 Greenmanville Avenue Tel 203.743.5200 600 Main Street Tel 860.572.5315 Tel 860.278.2670 Farmington Greenmanville Farmington Historical Litchfield Historic District Society Tapping Reeve Mystic Seaport 138 Main Street Law School 75 Greenmanville Avenue Eastern Region Tel 860.678.1645 82 South Street Tel 860.572.5315 Tel 860.567.4501 Groton Hours of Operation Fort Griswold New Haven Museum schedules may change Southwestern Region Battlefield State Park Freedom Schooner depending on the season and cease at certain times of the 57 Fort Street Amistad The Connecticut Freedom Trail Quilts are on permanent display at Tel 860.449.6877 year: it is, therefore, advisable to Long Wharf plan ahead before visiting any the Museum of Connecticut History in the Connecticut State Library, 389 Long Wharf Drive site and to gather information 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. www.amistadamerica.net on special events offered.

The Connecticut State Library is free and open to the Credits Old Saybrook, Private Collection William Winters, Deep River public year-round: Monday-Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm, Saturday: Amistad Committee, Inc. (upper left); Isaac Truitt, Wesleyan Historical Society (bottom left). 9:00am-2:00pm, Closed Sunday and State Holidays Pita Group University class album of 1870, Wesleyan University Library, Special Back Cover Photo September is Connecticut Freedom Trail Month. For more Front Cover Photos Collections & Archives (center); Reverend Amos G. Beman, information on events planned for the month, check our Freedom Trail Quilt Square, Constance Baker Motley, Chester ca. 1803-58, Yale Collection website at ctfreedomtrail.org. Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church, Higgins (right); Lemuel R. Custis, of American Literature, Administration of the Trail is the responsibility of the Connecticut Commission Tuskegee Airmen, Chanute Beinecke Rare Book and Plainville, Connecticut State on Culture & Tourism and the Amistad Committee, Inc. of New Haven. Library (top); Anna Louise James, Air Museum (bottom center); Manuscript Library. Connecticut Commission The Amistad Committee, Inc. The Connecticut State Library on Culture & Tourism P.O. Box 2936 Robert Gregson, CCT One Constitution Plaza Westville Station Second Floor New Haven, CT 06515 Hartford, CT 06103 Tel 203.387.0370 Tel 860.256.2800 36 Connecticut Freedom Trail ctfreedomtrail.org 37 September is Connecticut Freedom Trail Month

“The work to be done is not to be completed in a day or a year; it will require a long time to remove the evils which slavery and habit have so deeply engraven upon the very foundation

– Reverend Amos G. Beman, Middletown, of everything.” Sept. 6, 1862, letter to the editor of The Weekly Anglo-African newspaper ctfreedomtrail.org

38 Connecticut Freedom Trail