New England: Connecticut: Amistad Trail

THE AMISTAD TRAIL

In 1839, 53 Africans who were bound for slavery in Cuba aboard the ship Amistad took over the vessel under the leadership of Joseph Cinque. Although Cinque insisted that the ship be returned to Africa and he and his compatriots to their homes, the crew instead sailed into Long Island Sound, where the boat was taken into New Haven by the United States Navy.

What followed was a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court, successfully argued by former American President John Quincy Adams. Adams argued, and the court agreed, that all human beings were naturally free people and entitled to that freedom under American law. Subsequently, the Africans were freed and they chose to return to Sierra Leone.

What follows is a list of sites throughout the state that are important to this story. Each has a description of its importance to the Amistad story, as well as any other general historical information of interest.

The Connecticut Freedom Trail
Sites throughout Connecticut

The Amistad trail is a part of the Connecticut Freedom Trail, a list of over 60 historic locations throughout the state. Each location played an important role in the African-American journey from slavery to freedom in Connecticut. Places in addition to those listed on the Amistad Trail include historic homes, churches, graves, monuments, and sites on the Underground Railroad.

FARMINGTON

Austin F. Williams House
127 Main Street, Farmington, CT

A local abolitionist, Austin Williams, built this site as a home for the Amistad Africans during their stay in Farmington. He later built his own home nearby and converted the first structure into a carriage house.

Barney House
11 Mountain Spring Road, Farmington, CT

Built in 1839 by John Treadwell, who became a major supporter of the Amistad Africans. It is currently used as a conference center and bed and breakfast by the University of Connecticut.

Canal House and Pitkin Basin
128 Garden Street, Farmington, CT

In this spot, one of the Amistad Africans, Foone, lost his life. In his memory, the other Africans began their journey to other towns to raise money for their trip back to Africa at this site.

Farmington Historical Society
Main Street, Farmington, CT
Telephone: 860-678-1654

The Farmington Historical Society collects information and documents relating to the history of the area. They offer guided tours of the town's historical locations, including a tour focusing specifically on Amistad sites.

First Church of Christ Congregational
Main Street, Farmington, CT

One of the oldest churches in Northern Connecticut, the structure is a National Historic Landmark. Church members were active supporters of the Amistad Africans, providing them with housing, clothing and education while they lived in Farmington.

Reverend Noah Porter House
116 Main Street, Farmington, CT

Home to the minister of the Congregational Church. The Reverend's family housed one of the three Amistad children during their stay in Connecticut. This site was also the location where the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded.

Riverside Cemetery
Garden Street, Farmington, CT

Historic cemetery with many 18th and 19th century graves. Of particular interest are the Indian obelisk - monument, and the grave of Foone, one of the Amistad Africans. He died during their trial and stay in Farmington. The cemetery sits along the historic Farmington Canal.

Samuel Deming Store
2 Mill Lane, Farmington, CT

This site was the first place the Amistad Africans stayed when they arrived in Farmington. Later on it became their school. The property is currently under private ownership and not open for visitors.

Union Hall
Church Street, Farmington, CT

Now the Farmington Art Guild, this building was once the site of frequent meetings of both abolitionists and anti-abolitionists.

HARTFORD

Connecticut Historical Society
1 Elizabeth Street at Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-236-5621
Open: Year-round, except Holidays, Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5 pm

Established in 1825, The Connecticut Historical Society is a non-profit organization, which collects, preserves and interprets the history of the diverse people - past and present - who have made Connecticut their home. The Society houses a museum with one of the largest collections of Connecticut furnture, silver, pewter, costumes, graphic materials and tavern signs in existence. A library holds 100,000 manuscripts and nearly 3 million volumes. Events and lectures are scheduled throughout the year. A current exhibit, Amistad -- A True Story of Freedom, is a comprehensive look at the African's revolt on the slave ship Amistad in 1839, and the events that followed. The interactive, multimedia exhibition features 5 galleries, historic artifacts, and special sound and light effects.

Old State House
800 Main Street, Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-522-6766
Open: Mon - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm; Sun 12 - 5 pm

Connecticut's original statehouse is the oldest in the U.S. Many historic events took place here, including the signing of the first written Constitution in the nation, and the Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials. The site contains a the restored, original Senate chamber and a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington. Free admission.

MYSTIC

Mystic Seaport Museum
75 Greenmanville Avenue, Route 27, Mystic, CT
Open daily all year long
Telephone: 860-572-5315

Mystic Seaport is an outdoor maritime Museum that tells the stories of America and the sea. Located on a 40 acre waterfront site in the town of Mystic, Connecticut, the museum exhibits historic tall ships and small boats, a New England coastal village and extensive collections of art, shipmodels and artifacts. The museum also offers hands-on activities for children and adults, crafts demonstrations, educational programs and a variety of special events. Mystic Seaport is also the site of current efforts to build a replica of the ship Amistad, a Spanish slave-ship commandeered by 53 Africans who were to be sold into slavery in Cuba.

NEW HAVEN

Amistad Memorial
165 Church Street, New Haven, CT

Completed by Ed Hamilton in 1992, this monument pays tribute to the 53 Africans who escaped their slavery by overpowering the crew of the ship Amistad. The monument is located at the site of the old New Haven Jail, in which the Africans were kept during their initial arrest.

Center Church
250 Temple Street, New Haven, CT

Founded in 1639, the original building was replaced by the current structure, built in 1812. A companion cemetery contains graves from the 17th century. During the Amistad incident in the mid 19th century, the congregation of this church was particularly instrumental in gaining support for the Africans, who were being held in the New Haven Jail. The property is a National Historic Landmark.

Long Wharf
Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT

One of the oldest ports in the United States, Long Wharf has been active since the earliest days of New Haven's existence. Before the advent of rail lines and steamships, Long Wharf was a major port of entry for both imports and immigrants. Long Wharf has been designated as the home port for the life-size replica of the ship Amistad, which will sail from its base to other ports periodically.

New Haven Colony Historical Society Museum
114 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-562-4183
Open: Tues - Fri, 10 am - 5 pm, Sat - Sun, 2 - 5 pm

Permanent exhibits detail the history of New Haven from 1638 to the present. Features an exhibit of tableware from 1640 - 1840. The museum also contains a library, photo exhibit and gift shop. Of particular interest is a portrait of Joseph Cinque, leader of the Amistad revolt. Admission: $2 adults, $1.50 seniors and students.