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September is Connecticut Freedom Trail month. Connecticut Freedom Trail month recognizes and honors the state’s African American ancestors in their quest for human rights. Sites on the Freedom Trail will commemorate the month-long observance with special public events and activities, including a monument dedication ceremony for the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry unit. “In appreciation of the heritage and contributions of our African American ancestors and citizenry, we celebrate the Connecticut Freedom Trail in September,” said Karen Senich, executive director of the Commission on Culture & Tourism. “We invite residents and visitors to participate in the wonderful Connecticut Freedom Trail events filled with history and pageantry and learn more about the experiences of African Americans and their journey to freedom during this important month of observance.” The Freedom Trail was officially named in 1995 by the Connecticut General Assembly in recognition of the many places in the state associated with the heritage and movement toward freedom of African American citizens. The Freedom Trail includes locations reported to have served as Underground Railroad safe houses, sites associated with the Amistad case of 1839 – 1842, gravesites, monuments, homes and other structures that were affiliated with the journey to freedom. In observance of Connecticut’s African American heritage, several Freedom Trail events are planned throughout September: Freedom Run Saturday, September 13, 2008 A 3.4-mile “Freedom Run” will commence at 5:30 a.m. at Archer Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Windsor. Runners will pass by three Freedom Trail sites in Windsor: the Joseph Rainey House, Palisades Cemetery (location of the Nancy Toney gravesite) and the Riverside Cemetery, burial site of black Civil War veterans. At each location, a brief history will be presented. Breakfast will be served at Archer Memorial Church following the run. Freedom Trail Program Friday, September 19, 2008 A special Freedom Trail program, featuring individuals in character representing Windsor’s four Freedom Trail sites, will be presented at the Town of Windsor’s 350th anniversary event, Windsor High School, on September 19 at 6:30 p.m. Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment Monument Dedication Ceremony Honoring CT’s African American Civil War Regiment Saturday, September 20, 2008, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Criscuolo Park, New Haven, CT Celebrate and remember the gallantry of the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry. More than 900 African Americans and Native Americans from 120 Connecticut towns enlisted in the fight for freedom in 1863. The day’s events, hosted by WTNH anchor Keith Kountz, will include remarks from civil rights activist/social satirist and humanitarian Dick Gregory as well as New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., State Senators Toni N. Harp and Martin M. Looney, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Board of Aldermen Representative, the Honorable Migdalia Castro. Re-enactors from the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the Irish 9th, the Connecticut 27th, the Massachusetts 9th Artillery, as well as the 2nd Company Governor’s Foot Guard will attend. Accompanying the ceremony are living history reenactments and festivities at their original muster site, Criscuolo Park, corner of Chapel and James Streets, New Haven. The Monument is by renowned sculptor Ed Hamilton. Open to the public. Admission: Free. For more information visit www.thect29th.org or call 203-777-5778. Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment Monument Dedication: Descendents Reception Honoring CT’s African American Civil War Regiment Saturday, September 20, 2008, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. John S. Martinez Magnet School, New Haven, CT Meet the descendants of the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry, whose African American and Native American ancestors, 900-strong from 120 Connecticut towns, fought proudly during the Civil War. The reception remembers their family members’ gallant service on the battlefield and celebrates the new Connecticut 29th Monument by renowned sculptor Ed Hamilton, erected in their honor in New Haven’s Criscuolo Park. Hosted by the Amistad Committee. Refreshments. Admission: Free. For more information visit www.thect29th.org or call 203-777-5778. Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment Monument Meet-the-Artist Reception Honoring CT’s African American Civil War Regiment Saturday, September 20, 2008 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. New Haven Museum & Historical Society, New Haven, CT Meet nationally-renowned and award-winning sculptor Ed Hamilton who just unveiled his newest work, 10 years in the making: Connecticut’s first monument honoring the proud service of the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry. More than 900 African American and Native American soldiers from 120 Connecticut towns joined the Regiment. Celebrate their history and this historical moment in time with their Monument’s artist, whose acclaimed commissioned works also include the Spirit of Freedom African American Memorial in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Amistad Committee. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Admission: $25.00. For tickets call: 203-777-5778. Visit www.thect29th.org. Welcoming Ceremony, The Honorable Ernest Bai Koroma Graveside Ceremony Public Address Tuesday, September 23, 2008 A welcoming ceremony for The Honorable Ernest Bai Koroma, President, Republic of Sierra Leone will take place on Tuesday, September 23 at 10:15 a.m. at City Hall, 165 Church Street, New Haven, at the statue of Sengbe Pieh, leader of the Amistad Captives. Following will be a graveside ceremony at 11:15 a.m. at Grove Street Cemetery, Grove and Prospect Streets, New Haven, at the gravestone of the six Amistad captives who died in New Haven. A public address by The Honorable President Ernest Bai Koroma will then occur at 3 p.m. at Southern Connecticut State University, Crescent and Fitch Streets, New Haven, in the Michael Adanti Student Center Auditorium. Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment Monument: Youth Dedication Series Friday, September 26, 2008, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Criscuolo Park, New Haven, CT Youth Dedication Ceremony Honoring the Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment & Monument 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Students can meet the Connecticut 29th Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry’s descendants, hear their stories of valor and learn about their important history in fighting for freedom. Admission: Free. For more information visit www.thect29th.org. Youth Arm Band Parade Honoring the Connecticut 29th Civil War Regiment & Monument 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Students can participate in a historic Arm Band Parade, wearing arm bands they create commemorating the names of African American and Native American soldiers who fought in the Connecticut 29th Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry. The arm bands will later be contained, sealed and buried next to the Monument for future generations to discover. Admission: Free. For more information visit www.thect29th.org. Celebration of Life of Venture Smith Friday, September 26, 2008 A celebration of the life of Venture Smith, an African prince, slave and ultimately a freed man. Beginning at 1 p.m. on September 6 in East Haddam, activities include a wreath-laying ceremony at Smith’s grave at First Church Cemetery, the reading of a town proclamation, guest speakers and annual reunion of Smith’s descendants. For more information on the Connecticut Freedom Trail, please visit www.cultureandtourism.org. About the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism brings together tourism, film, history and the arts. Its mission is to preserve and promote Connecticut’s cultural and tourism assets in order to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the state. The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism is located at One Constitution Plaza, 2nd floor, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, log on to www.cultureandtourism.org. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. 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