Witness Stones Project Inc.

Restore History, Educate, and Honor Humanity

Witness Stones Installation Ceremony

Historic Deerfield Unveils Witness Stones

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By Emma McCorkindale and Heath Kalb on WWLP on October 12, 2022

DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Historic Deerfield unveiled 19 memorial plaques at 12 different locations on Wednesday.

Historic Deerfield, in partnership with Witness Stones Project, unveiled 19 memorial plaques along the museum’s mile-long street. Inspired by the Stolpersteine Project in Germany which commemorates victims of the Holocaust, this project’s purpose was to further acknowledge and recognize those that were enslaved. The Witness Stones memorial is a 4 by 4 brass plaque identifying the enslaved person where they lived and worked. Continue reading.

 

Historic Deerfield Partners with Witness Stone Project to Unveil Memorials Honoring Enslaved Persons

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(Deerfield, M.A.) – Historic Deerfield, in partnership with The Witness Stones Project™, will be unveiling 19 memorial plaques at 12 locations along the museum’s mile-long street. The plaques honor enslaved persons who once lived in the historic homes that make up the Historic Deerfield Museum. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at 128 Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The general public and media are invited to the unveiling ceremony.

 

Wallingford’s 350+2 Jubilee a Success

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Carol Naamon-Kelly, of Meriden learned more about her family’s history of enslavement during a presentation on WHPT’s “Enslaved Wallingford” project at the Wallingford Public Library.

The Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust took part in many events during the week-long 350+2 Jubilee Celebration. On June 18,, a replica of the Nehemiah Royce House, celebrating its 350th anniversary (1672-2022), was part of the 350+2 parade.

On Juneteenth, WHPT Board President Jerry Farrell and WHPT Director of Operations, Lorraine Connelly, both Directors of the Wallingford 350th Jubilee Committee, were hosts to the All-Faiths Service and Juneteenth Observance at the Seymour St. John Chapel on the campus of Choate Rosemary Hall. Sheehan High School vocalist Sajag Timilsina led attendees in a rousing rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” accompanied by Dr. Jeanette Gross, organist of First Congregational Church in Wallingford. The interfaith service was led Rev. Aaron Rathbun, Choate Rosemary Hall’s Chaplain.  After the service, all were invited to attend the opening of WHPT’s “Enslaved Wallingford” exhibit at the Nehemiah Royce House, delving into enslavement of Black Americans in Wallingford between 1710 and 1840.

A dedication of Wallingford’s first Witness Stone in honor of Black Revolutionary War soldier Dick Freedom was held at the Royce House. A second dedication of Witness Stones in memory of Grace and Esau, enslaved in Wallingford, took place at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. WHPT has partnered with the Witness Stone Project, Inc. to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved through research, education, and civic engagement.

Wallingford Celebrates Juneteenth with Dedication of Witness Stones

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Liz Lightfoot, Chris Menapace, Kristin Liu, Amy Foster, Jane Smith, and Dennis Culliton pose outside St. Paul’s Episcol Church in Wallingford on Sunday, June 19, 2022, to celebrate the dedication ceremony of the Witness Stones of Esau and Grace, who were enslaved by the Brockett family in honor of Juneteenth. | Nicole Zappone, Record-Journal.

By Nicole Zappone in the Record-Journal on June 20, 2022

WALLINGFORD — It was a sunny and breezy day Sunday, and especially busy at the Historical Society’s Nehemiah Royce House, where locals recognized Juneteenth and honored the lives of enslaved men and women.

The Historical Society opened the doors at the Royce House, 538 N. Main St., to host the historical exhibit “Enslaved Wallingford,” which chronicles the experience of enslaved Black Americans in Wallingford between 1704 and 1840.

The opening of the exhibit was held in conjunction with the dedication of three Witness Stones — the first ones dedicated in Wallingford. The stones commemorate the lives of enslaved individuals. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Ceremony Kicks Off Juneteenth 2022 in West Hartford

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Tracey Wilson speaks at the Witness Stones installation ceremony held as part of West Hartford’s 2022 Juneteenth celebration. Photo credit: Lily Guberman

By Lili Guberman on WeHa.com on June 19, 2022

The weather celebrated along with the attendees as West Hartford’s Juneteenth celebration got underway midday Sunday in West Hartford with the installation of 14 more Witness Stones.

The arch in Blue Back square was decked out in black, red, green and yellow colored balloons and a banner commemorating the day was strung across the top. Leaders of the Witness Stones West Hartford project handed out 36 cards with the names of enslaved people for attendees to read aloud during the ceremony. Continue reading.

Connecticut Project Lays Stones to Commemorate Former Enslaved People

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A ceremony part of the Witness Stone Project honored the lives of emancipated slaves Lucy and Lois Tritton at the Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven, Conn. on June 2, 2022. Nicole Funaro / Hearst Connecticut Media.

By Andrew DaRosa in the Connecticut Post on

Gathered at the Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven one early June morning, students and community leaders came together as part of a ceremony to honor the lives of emancipated slaves Lucy and Lois Tritton.

The Trittons were purchased at an auction in 1825 by abolitionist Anthony P. Sanford, who subsequently freed them. The sisters were the last two enslaved individuals to be auctioned in the city of New Haven, according to the Trinity Church.

This event was just one among many hosted by the Witness Stones Project, a Guilford-based organization whose mission it is to “honor the humanity of enslaved individuals.” The organization works with kids from K-12 and crafts projects that have students and teachers analyze primary-source documents and other curriculum to better understand the lives of enslaved individuals in the state. The culmination of each project is the laying of Witness Stone Memorials, which honor the life of a specific enslaved individual relevant to the area where the stone is placed. Continue reading.

West Hartford 2022 Juneteenth

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By Ronni Newtown in We-Ha.com on June 13, 2022

West Hartford observed Juneteenth for the first time in 2020, and on Sunday – which is actually June 19th – the town will host its third annual celebration of the day marking the effective end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, the last group of enslaved people in Galveston, TX were freed by the Union Army – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for all who had been enslaved.

“We are so excited to be hosting our third Juneteenth event,” said Adrienne Billings-Smith, chair of the town’s Juneteenth Committee. “Every year the community has come out to support something so significant that many of us didn’t know about it until recent years.” Continue reading.

Witness Stones Project Installation Ceremony to Honor Nimrod Benedict

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On May 31, 2022, students from the Wooster School gathered at the Long Ridge United Methodist Church to remember and honor the life of Nimrod Benedict.

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