Witness Stones Project Inc.

Restore History, Educate, and Honor Humanity

Participating Towns

Witness Stones to Partner with Stonington Middle School

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The Witness Stones Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities, today announced a new affiliation with Stonington Middle School. The school in Stonington, Connecticut, will be using the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their teaching of the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut.

Students will examine primary source documents, such property, church, and vital records; wills and probate inventories; and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their communities to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town. 

Stonington Middle School’s mission is to provide quality instruction, that will challenge students’ abilities and provide them with the knowledge and skills to participate successfully in a democracy.

Grant to Fund Important Lesson at RHAM

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By Traci Hastings, in The Chronicle

Dec. 8—HEBRON — A grant from the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund is being used to build awareness of history and diversity at RHAM Middle School.

In December, middle school students will begin a ” multidisciplinary exploration” through Witness Stones Inc., a nonprofit educational resource, funded through the grant. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Project to Partner with Wooster School

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The Witness Stones Project today announced a new affiliation with the Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut. The  college-preparatory school will be using the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their teaching of the history of slavery in Connecticut.

Students will examine primary source documents, including property records, probate documents, and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their communities to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town.

The Wooster School is guided by its purpose, promise, and beliefs, which represent the natural evolution of the school’s mission since its founder, the Reverend Aaron Coburn, charged them with preparing its students to be “gentle, generous, truthful, kind, and brave.” These commitments remind them that as a school community they must learn from the past, embrace the present, and look to the future as they prepare their graduates for college and lives of purpose in a world of increasing complexity and change.

Witness Stones Project to Partner with Connecticut’s Regional District 4

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The Witness Stones Project today announced a new affiliation with Connecticut’s Regional District 4. The District serves students in Chester, Deep River, and Essex, Connecticut.  The District’s John Winthrop Middle School will be using the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their teaching of the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut. Local support for the Project is being provided by the Connecticut River Museum and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex. 

Students will examine primary source documents, including property records, probate documents, and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their communities to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town. 

The mission of the Chester, Deep River, Essex & Region 4 Schools is to engage all students in a rigorous and collaborative educational program.  They prepare their learners to be respectful citizens who are empowered to contribute in a globalized society.

The Connecticut River Museum’s mission is to lead in the study, preservation and celebration of the cultural and natural heritage of the Connecticut River and its valley. By deepening understanding of the River’s importance to past generations, the Museum will inspire the stewardship of future generations.

Witness Stones Project to Partner with CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford, Connecticut

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The Witness Stones Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities, today announced a new affiliation with CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.

A generous grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund will allow the school to use the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their teaching of the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut.

The Witness Stones Project’s Local Corporate Partner in Hartford, Pro Bono Partnership, is also providing crucial support.

Students will examine primary source documents, such property, church, and vital records; wills and probate inventories; and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their community to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town.

The Witness Stones Project was founded in 2017 in Guilford, Connecticut. Since then, the Project has expanded to work with affiliated institutions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

The CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts provides a rigorous college-preparatory academic education and pre-professional arts education in a an equitable, culturally competent environment.

The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund’s mission is to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty.

Pro Bono Partnership, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, provides free business and transactional legal assistance to other nonprofits. The Partnership recruits and supports volunteer attorneys with a range of specializations to help nonprofits in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York achieve their goals, avoid risk, increase capacity, and better serve their constituencies.

Witness Stones Project Receives Funding in Hebron

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In the Journal Enquirer on August 23, 2021

HEBRON — Eleven projects have received funding from the Hebron Greater Together Community fund through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Friends of the Office of State Archaeology received $4,400 for a multidisciplinary project at the Cesar Peters home site with RHAM Middle and High School students, along with projects at the state archaeologist office, Hebron Historical Society, and the Witness Stones Project. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Project Announces New Collaboration in Norwich, Connecticut

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The Witness Stones Project today announced a new affiliation with the Leffingwell House Museum and the Norwich Free Academy. Students at the coeducational independent school will be using the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their understanding of the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut.

Students will examine primary source documents, such property, church, and vital records; wills and probate inventories; and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their communities to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town.

The Leffingwell House Museum’s mission is the education and promotion of the history of Norwich.

The Norwich Free Academy is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and rigorous academic environment in which all students gain the knowledge and develop the skills to become resourceful members of their local, national, and world communities.

Witness Stones Project to Partner with Mansfield Middle School to Recover the History of the Enslaved

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The Witness Stones Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities, today announced a new affiliation with Mansfield Middle School. The middle school in Storrs Mansifield, Connecticut, will be using the Project’s curriculum and landscape markers to expand their teaching of the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut.

Students will examine primary source documents, such property, church, and vital records; wills and probate inventories; and census data, in order to understand the reality of slavery and to restore the memory of those individuals who were enslaved. They will learn how to document and describe the dehumanization and paternalism of slavery; the economic and legal framework that supported slavery; and, the agency, resistance, and contributions of the enslaved to our local and national history. Finally, these students will be inviting their communities to witness as they install memorial stones for individuals who were enslaved in their town. 

Mansfield Middle School in Northeast Connecticut serves 550 students in grades five to eight. Using interdisciplinary teams of teachers and differentiated instruction in a heterogeneous classroom environment, they strive to ensure that every student reaches her/his greatest potential.

 

Somerset County Awards Grants to Support Local History Projects

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Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano, right, presents a ceremonial grant check to John B. Buck, president of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum. Also participating in the presention is Cultural & Heritage Commission Program Coordinator Natalie Zaman. Photo: Somerset County, MyCentralJersey.com

By Mike Deak on MyCentralJersey.com on April 18, 2021

The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum – General operating funds will aid in the maintenance, enrichment and expansion of programs and outreach, including planning for a new Education and Exhibit Center on the top of Sourland Mountain in Hillsborough, virtual programming for signature events and enhancing the Sourland African American History Trail with an expanded map and signage. The grant will also support the creation of a new program, the Witness Stones Project, which will be brought to area schools. Continue reading.

Remarkable Discoveries

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Notations on the back of Tamar’s 1777 bill of sale to Luther Loomis. Photo: Bill Sullivan, Suffield Historical Society.

By Bill Sullivan in the Suffield Observer on March 30, 2021

The Suffield Historical Society’s April 13 meeting will be devoted to updating our community on intriguing developments regarding the research and installation of two Witness Stones Memorials. The meeting is open to the public, and newcomers are most welcomed. Please attend the 7 p.m. program by accessing the Zoom link below.

The first project began early last fall when the Society hosted an online class for adults interested in learning about Tamer (aka Tamar). She was enslaved by Comfort Smith and Luther Loomis from the 1770s until 1798, when Solomon Smith, son of Venture Smith, purchased her freedom for marriage. The class was originally planned for three separate nights, and then many original discoveries extended this online class throughout the winter months and now into the spring. Continue reading.