Conversation Club at the Stanley-Whitman House

Former State Representative Pat Wilson Pheanious will share the significance of her family’s history and why she believes it’s vital to restore Connecticut’s history of slavery. Recently featured on ‘Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery,’ a special series by Connecticut Public, Pat revealed her family’s story through radio storytelling, videos, digital narratives, and more. As Chair of the Witness Stones Project™ Board since 2019, Pat is committed to restoring the history and honoring the humanity of enslaved individuals who contributed to our communities. Through impactful research, Pat uncovered her family’s hidden legacy, discovering her 6th great-grandparents were enslaved in colonial Guilford, CT, in 1727. She also learned of her 5th great-grandfather’s service in the American Revolution and the struggles faced by her family through ten generations of American history. This journey, untaught in traditional schooling, deeply impacted Pat. In her presentation, she will share her personal journey, the evolution of the Witness Stones Project™, and discuss the rationale behind the project. Additionally, she will explore methods and outcomes of teaching “hard history” in middle and high school settings.