Witness Stones Project, Inc.

Restoring History & Honoring Humanity

Witness Stones Installation Ceremony

Witness Stones Unearth New Haven’s History Of Enslavement

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Cold Spring School sixth grader Kymani Chapman. Lucy Gellman Photos.

By Lucy Gellman on Arts Council Greater New Haven on June 4, 2021

Sixth grader Kymani Chapman held a heavy cube steady in both hands, the letters on its face glinting. A name caught in the light: Stepna Primus, once enslaved by Amos Morris, Isaac Forbes and Enos Hemmingway in New Haven. Chapman steadied himself, feet spread wide as he lowered the stone into the ground. As he did, over two centuries of untold history came rushing back to a city that has tried to wipe them clean. Continue reading.

New Generation of Historians Reveals Untold Stories in Old Lyme

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Marilyn Nelson prompts the audience to repeat each of 14 names after she reads each one during the installation ceremony for the Witness Stones placed along Lyme Street at the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. (Dana Jensen/The Day)

By Elizabeth Regan in The Day on June 4, 2021

Old Lyme — Though they are the town’s youngest historians, they are among the first to reveal centuries-old stories of the people enslaved on Lyme Street.

Seventh graders at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School this year pieced together the stories of Jenny Freeman and Lewis Lewia, two of the people held in bondage on the street once inhabited by wealthy sea captains, shipbuilders and merchants.

It’s all part of the Witness Stones Old Lyme community partnership to install small plaques commemorating individuals once enslaved. A ceremony was held Friday after the first 14 stones were placed earlier this week. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Old Lyme to Hold Installation Ceremony

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This plaque commemorating the life of enslaved person, Jack Howard, is located at 5 Lyme Street, which is the parsonage of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

OLD LYME – The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership will hold an installation ceremony Friday, June 4, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. celebrating the town’s newly installed Witness Stones—historical plaques commemorating the lives of 14 individuals, who were once enslaved on Lyme Street. Continue reading.

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