Witness Stones Project Inc.

Restore History, Educate, and Honor Humanity

Student Work

West Hartford to Rename Street in Honor of Two Enslaved Women

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By Deidre Montague in the Hartford Courant on May 19, 2022

WEST HARTFORD — The West Hartford Town Council unanimously agreed to change the name of a city street this week, a small move that points to a larger goal — changing the town’s physical landscape to bear witness to its history and culture.

New Street in Blue Back Square will henceforth be named Dinah Road, in honor of two women named Dinah who were enslaved in West Hartford in the mid-18th century.

The change, a nearly year-long process of gathering signatures and support, was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Youth Council and the Witness Stones Project. Continue reading.

West Hartford Will Name Street After 2 Enslaved Women

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By Gabby DeBenedictis on Patch.com on May 19, 2022

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford town council voted unanimously to rename New Street in Blue Back Square “Dinah Road,” and according to the Hartford Courant the name is designed to honor two women who were enslaved in town.

The women, a mother and daughter both named Dinah, were forced to work on an estate where Hall High School is now located in the mid-1700s, the Courant reported, citing town historian Tracey Wilson. Continue reading.

Dinah Road: New Name for New Street Approved by West Hartford Town Council

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The name of New Street in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square will be changed to Dinah Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton on We-Ha.com on May 16, 2022

A campaign by the Mayor’s Youth Council to rename a West Hartford roadway in honor of two women who were once enslaved in town was approved unanimously by the Town Council on May 10.

Mayor’s Youth Council members Tzionya Goldfischer, a student at the New England Jewish Academy, and Sarah Granquist and Priya Sinha, both students at Hall High School, have been working closely with Town Historian Tracey Wilson to gain approval to change the name of New Street, a roadway in Blue Back Square that runs between Raymond and Isham roads, to Dinah Road. Dinah, and her daughter, who was also named Dinah, were once enslaved in the West Division of Hartford, now known as West Hartford. Continue reading.

Students from Timberlane Middle School Honor Friday Truehart

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April 28, 2022

Students from Timberlane Middle School gathered today to honor Friday Truehart. This is the capstone of work they have been doing this spring with the Witness Stones Project. The have shared their work on their website. We invite you to visit to learn more.

Mansfield Middle School Students Participate in Witness Stones Project

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Connor Cobb stands by his Witness Stone table at an event held at Mansfield Middle School on March 24. (Melanie Savage)
By Melanie Savage in the Hartford Courant on March 25, 2022
MANSFIELD — Mansfield Middle School grade 8 students have completed their research on a man named Titus, an enslaved man born in Mansfield on February 17, 1743. Students’ research was inspired by the Witness Stones Project, an educational initiative that includes collaborative learning and civic engagement for purposes of honoring the humanity of enslaved individuals. The Witness Stones Project was inspired by the Stolpersteine memorial project, and began in Guilford in 2017. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Project Students Petitioning to Rename Street in Blue Back Square

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From left: Sara Granquist, Priya Sinha, Town Historian Tracey Wilson, Teen Services Librarian Kari Karp, and Tziyona Goldfischer collect signatures outside the Noah Webster branch of the West Hartford Public Library in order to get the Town Council to consider renaming New Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

 

By Ronni Newton on We-Ha.com on March 16, 2022

The only significance of the name of “New Street” in West Hartford is that it was a street newly-created about 15 years ago when Blue Back Square was built.

Three members of the Mayor’s Youth Council – all students at West Hartford high schools – are collecting signatures on a petition to change the name of that street from essentially a placeholder to something with more significance: Dinah Road. Continue reading.

James Mars Day: A Student Chronicle of Real History

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James Mars

By Clarence Nurse in Intrepid Ed News on January 11, 2022

I wasn’t happy with my school experience in New York City. I wanted more. This class at the Salisbury School (CT) has not only given me more but has also exceeded my wildest expectations about how enjoyable meaningful learning can be. It is now year two, and the course has shown no signs of losing momentum.

A class where all students earn an “A+” might sound suspicious to someone on the outside, but after seeing what we have been able to produce, a better question would likely be “can students earn a higher grade than A+?”

Continue reading

 

West Hartford Witness Stones Students Argue for Change

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By Katrina Koerting in the Register Citizen on

WEST HARTFORD — Some streets around town could get new names under an ordinance to honor people or historic events.

Local officials said there are still logistical issues to finalize, but the ordinance was largely supported by public speakers and adopted by the Town Council. Continue reading.