New England: Connecticut: Freedom Trail

THE CONNECTICUT FREEDOM TRAIL

Learn about the history of African-Americans in Connecticut, as they made their centuries long journey from slavery to freedom. This trail, officially authorized by the State of Connecticut in 1995, includes monuments, historic homes, churches, gravesites, parts of the Underground Railroad and the Amistad Trail.

AMISTAD TRAIL

The Amistad Trail
Locations throughout Farmington, Hartford, Mystic and New Haven, CT

In 1839, a group of Africans who were to be sold into slavery took control of the ship Amistad, which then landed in Connecticut. Several trials were held to determine the status of the Africans, who wanted to return to their homeland. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled that all people exist in a natural state of freedom, and therefore, the Amistad Africans were free. The trail consists of many locations important to the Amistad trial and to the Africans themselves.

BLOOMFIELD

Francis Gillette House
540 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

BRIDGEPORT

Walters AME Zion Church
423 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT

Established in 1882, the church is a focus for the city's "Little Liberia" community, important to Bridgeport's Afro-American history.

CANTERBURY

Prudence Crandall Museum
Route 14 and 169, Canterbury, CT
Phone: 860-546-9916
Open: February - Mid-December, Wed. - Sun. 10 am - 4:30 pm

This museum sits on the site of the first academy for black women in New England, built in 1833. The academy was run by Prudence Crandall, who has been named female hero of the state of Connecticut. This National Historic Landmark features reconstructed, historically accurate rooms, changing exhibits, a library and a gift shop. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children. Tours for groups and classes.

COLCHESTER

Colchester Town Green
Colchester, CT

A picturesque, typical New England town green. In 1803 it became the site of Connecticut's first African-American school.

DANBURY

Marian Anderson House
46 Joe's Hill Road, Danbury, CT

The home of one of America's most famous contralto. Marian Anderson broke the color barrier in opera in the 1930's.

EAST HADDAM

First Church Cemetery
Route 151, East Haddam, CT

Venture Smith, a slave who purchased his freedom as well as his family's, was buried here in the 18th century.

ENFIELD

The Beeches
1221 Enfield Street, Route 5, Enfield, CT

The home of Paul Robeson, who was one of the finest bass-baritone singers to ever grace the American stage. Robeson further made a name for himself as an actor and human rights activist, and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He then left Connecticut and lived the rest of his life in Europe.

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. The home also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Elijah Lewis House
1 Mountain Spring Road, Farmington, CT

A privately owned home that was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not open to the public.

Samuel Deming House
66 Main Street, Farmington, CT

A privately owned home that was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not open to the public.

Smith - Cowles House
27 Main Street, Farmington, CT

A privately owned home that was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not open to the public.

Timothy Wadsworth House
340 Main Street, Farmington, CT

A privately owned home that was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not open to the public.

GRISWOLD

Glasgo
Routes 201 and 165, Griswold, CT

This entire section of Griswold was named after an African-American and Native American blacksmith who lived in the 19th century.

GROTON

Fort Griswold Battlefield Park and Groton Monument
Monument Street
Groton, CT

Park and obelisk memorial on the site of a Revolutionary War skirmish in 1781, later known as the Battle of Groton Heights. The colonial army was defeated by the British troops under the command of Benedict Arnold. During the battle, many African-Americans fought with noticed bravery. The memorial holds exhibits with displays from the Revolutionary period. Free admission.

GUILFORD

Sachem Country House
111 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

HARTFORD

Faith Congregational Church
2030 North Main Street, Hartford, CT

One of earliest African-American churches founded in Connecticut.

Frank T. Simpson House
27 Keney Terrace, Hartford, CT

Simpson holds a special place in Connecticut's history: He was the first employee of the first Connecticut state civil right agency.

Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Farmington Avenue and Forest Street, Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-525-9317
Open: Tues - Sat, 9:30 am - 4 pm; Sun 12 - 4 pm.

Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in this home from 1873 - 1896. Known for her book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," she was an outspoken abolitionist during the decades leading up to the Civil War. Exhibits focus on family antiques, Victorian furnishings and the gardens outdoors. Guided tours are available during regular operating hours. There is also a gift shop on the premises. Admission $6.50 adults, $6 seniors, children 6-16, $2.75.

North Cemetery
North Main Street, Hartford, CT

Historic 19th century graveyard includes those of several African-Americans who fought in the Civil War.

Soldiers and Sailors' Monument
Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT

This monument honors the memory of all those from Connecticut who have given their lives in defense of the country.

Union Baptist Church
1921 Main Street, Hartford, CT

A historic church, and a focal point for the African-American community in Hartford over the decades.

Wadsworth Atheneum
600 Main Street, Hartford, CT
Telephone: 860-278-2670

Founded in 1842, the Atheneum is the country's oldest art museum. Collections of over 50,000 works of art from all over the world and across the centuries are more than worth the trip. Of particular interest are the collections of the Hudson River School painters, and an exhibit of African-American art and artifacts.

MANCHESTER

Hart Porter Homestead
456 Porter Street, Manchester, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

MIDDLETOWN

Benjamin Douglas House
11 South Main Street, Middletown, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

West Burying Ground
Vine and Washington Streets, Middletown, CT

A cemetery of 19th century graves. Of particular interest are the graves of a number of African-Americans who fought in the Civil War.

MILFORD

Milford Cemetery
North Street, Milford, CT

This colonial cemetery contains the graves of several African-American Revolutionary War soldiers. A plaque honoring these soldiers is located at the First Baptist Church, at 28 North Street, also in Milford.

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. The Charles W. Morgan ship also offers information on the African-Americans and maritime life during the 19th century.

NEW HAVEN

Grove Street Cemetery
227 Grove Street, New Haven, CT

Historic cemetery features the graves of several well-known abolitionists.

Hannah Gray Home
235 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT

In the 19th century, Hannah Gray opened this home for wayward and indigent African-American women.

Prince Hall Masonic Temple
106 Goffe Street, New Haven, CT

This masonic temple is one of the oldest founded by African-Americans in the United States.

Trowbridge Square
New Haven, CT

In the 1830's, Trowbridge Square became an early example of urban integration, where African-American and white workers lived in the same neighborhood. The community had two rules: No discrimination and no liquor.

United Church of Christ
Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT

This historic church was led by Reverend James W. C. Pennington, one of the foremost African-American ministers of his day.

Varick AME Zion Church
242 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT

Founded in 1818 by African-Americans, this church broke away from a white Methodist church, and has been independent ever since.

NEW LONDON

Hempstead Historic District
Downtown New London, CT

During the 19th century, New London was a major Connecticut port. The Hempstead District housed a vibrant African-American community. The area has many historic buildings, including the colonial Hempstead Houses.

Hempsted Houses
Intersection of Jay, Hempstead and Truman Streets
New London, CT

Two historic homes, both with unique features. The first is one of the oldest in New England, believed to have been built in 1678. The second is a stone house, rarely seen in homes from the 18th century, built in 1759. The homes served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Special programs are offered. Call 860-443-7949 for schedules and seasonal hours. Admission.

NEWINGTON

Brace/Stephen House
1349 Main Street, Newington, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

NORTH CANAAN

Hillside Cemetery
Route 44, North Canaan, CT

19th century cemetery features the graves of the Freeland family. Milo Freeland is said to have been the first African-American to enlist as a Union soldier during the Civil War.

NORWICH

Jail Hill District
Between Fountain and Cedar Streets, Norwich, CT

In the 19th century, the New London County jail was located in this section of Norwich. Because property around the jail was so inexpensive, the area blossomed into a large African American community.

Verney Lee House
Norwich, CT

A privately owned home that was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not open to the public.

OLD LYME

Steven Peck House
Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

OLD SAYBROOK

James Pharmacy
2 Pennywise Lane, Old Saybrook, CT

This turn-of-the-century pharmacy was run by Anna Louise James, the first African-American woman in the United States to get a pharmacist license. She operated the pharmacy from 1911 to 1967.

PUTNAM

Grove Street Cemetery
Grove Street, Putnam, CT

Here visitors will find the grave of Thomas L. Taylor, an African-American who fought in the Civil War. He was stationed on the Union's iron ship, the Monitor.

TORRINGTON

Isaiah Tuttle House
4040 Torringford St., Torrington, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

John Brown Birthplace
John Brown Road, Torrington, CT

Perhaps the most famous abolitionist of the Civil War era, Brown became reknowned for his raid on Harper's Ferry, VA. His roots and his life, however, began in this home in Torrington.

Uriah Tuttle House
3925 Torringford St., Torrington, CT

A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.

TRUMBULL

Nero Hawley's Grave
Riverside Cemetery, Daniel's Farm Road, Trumbull, CT

Nero Hawley was an African-American soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

WATERBURY

Hopkins Street Center
34 Hopkins Street, Waterbury, CT

For over 60 years, beginning in the 1920's, the Hopkins Center served the African-American community in Waterbury.

WINDSOR

Joseph Rainey House
299 Palisado Avenue, Windsor, CT

Home of the first African-American to be elected to Congress as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Palisado Cemetary
Palisado Avenue, Windsor, CT

This cemetary contains the grave of Nancy Toney, who was one of the last slaves living in Connecticut.