Participating Towns

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

WSP · Sep 17, 2021 ·

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 support for the Project.

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

WSP · Aug 23, 2021 ·

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

WSP · Jun 9, 2021 ·

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

WSP · May 15, 2021 ·

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

WSP · Apr 18, 2021 ·

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

WSP · Mar 30, 2021 ·

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.

Witness Stones Project to Partner with RHAM High School in Hebron, Connecticut

WSP · Mar 19, 2021 ·

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 RHAM High School. The school in Hebron, 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.

RHAM High School is a community of students and adults working collaboratively to ensure teaching and learning take place in a safe, respectful and positive environment. It provides a rigorous comprehensive education to prepare students for post-secondary study, work and life. It provides diverse instruction designed to enable students to take responsibility for their own learning. It works with families and community members to support the personal, academic and career development of every student.

Historical Society to Honor the Humanity of Greenwich’s Enslaved Individuals through Collaboration with Witness Stones Project

WSP · Mar 9, 2021 ·

By Greenwich Free Press on March 9, 2021.

To shine a light on the history, humanity and contributions of enslaved individuals who resided in Greenwich as early as the 1600s, Greenwich Historical Society is partnering with the Witness Stones Project. Continue reading.

Frank Ward Strong Middle Schools Joins Witness Stones Affiliates

WSP · Feb 18, 2021 ·

The Frank Strong Middle School is a Regional District 13 school. The District’s goal is to sure an authentic learning environment that supports growth, innovation and critical thinking so that all students are successful in life, learning and work beyond school. The School will be bringing the Witness Stones Project to the school beginning in the 2021-22 school year.

Old Lyme Partnership Launches ‘Witness Stones’ Project to Honor Lives of Local Enslaved Persons, Introduce Related Curriculum in Schools

WSP · Feb 2, 2021 ·

Published in LymeLine.com on February 2, 2021.

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership has launched a public education and engagement effort that will introduce an educational curriculum for seventh-grade students of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools that will raise awareness of the town’s history.

The project will also involve the installation of small historical plaques on Lyme Street commemorating the lives of individuals, who were once enslaved in Old Lyme. Continue reading.

Participating Towns

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