Witness Stones Project Inc.

Restore History, Educate, and Honor Humanity

#JamesMarsCT50

James Mars Day: A Student Chronicle of Real History

· ·

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

 

Student Film Screening: Looking for Color

· ·

James Mars

From the Atlantic Black Box Project on May 22, 2021

Salisbury, Connecticut: Students from Salisbury School’s Searching for Slavery class, in conjunction with the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area, are excited to screen the premiere of their film, Looking for Color on May 26, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. for Noble Horizons. Among several class projects, this film is one of three documentaries students have created over the course of the year to carry out their mission of educating the public about this important history, rewriting the stories that have been recorded incorrectly, and uncovering lives that have been ignored or buried. Continue reading.

Noble Horizons to Premiere Film by Salisbury School Students

· ·

The grave of Mars in Salisbury

From the Litchfield County Times on May 19, 2021

SALISBURY — Noble Horizons, a senior retirement community at 17 Cobble Road, will premiere Coloring Our Past, a film made by Salisbury School students in Rhonan Mokriski’s 2020-21 Searching for Slavery class, on May 26 at 7 p.m.

The film chronicles their discovery of the lost stories of local Black and Indigenous peoples whose contributions have been hidden from history for the last 200-plus years, an announcement said. Throughout the year, the students have conducted extensive research, field work, interviews and other efforts to uncover the lives of people who have long been buried, forgotten, or ignored, the announcement said. Continue reading. 

Paying Tribute to the Life of James Mars at a Witness Stone Ceremony in Norfolk

· ·

The ceremony honoring James Mars on Saturday, May 1, ended with drumming led by Angaza Mwando, at right. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan.

By Patrick L. Sullivan in the TriCornerNews on May 5, 2021

NORFOLK — The life of James Mars was celebrated at the Norfolk Congregational Church on Sunday, May 2, with a ceremony marking the unveiling of a witness stone honoring Mars, the last slave bought or sold in Norfolk. Continue reading.

James Mars Day

· ·

Salisbury School students honor James Mars’s legacy.

 

Commemorating History: James Mars Witness Stone Ceremony in Norfolk

· ·

 

Witness Stone for James Mars, which was installed in Norfolk. A ceremony commemorating the stone’s installation was held on Saturday, May 1. Photo by Chris Rabago.

By Shaw Israel Izikson in the Winsted Phoenix on May 1, 2021.

NORFOLK — A ceremony was held for the unveiling of a Witness Stone for James Mars on Saturday, May 1. According to the Witness Stone project’s website at witnessstonesproject.org, a Witness Stone is a marker that recalls an enslaved individual at a site of significance. Continue reading.

Salisbury School Students Celebrate James Mars Day

· ·

Students at the Salisbury School brought the community together on May 1, 2021, to share their research and reflections on James Mars.  Their work was part of a project-based learning course entitled, “Searching for Slavery in Northwest Connecticut,” taught by History Faculty Rhonan Mokriski.

The students documented the day with a new website and film. We invite you to take a look here.

Black American Slave James Mars’s Story in Virtual Program

· ·

The Litchfield County Times on March 25, 2021

SALISBURY — Noble Horizons will host “The Life and Times of James Mars: The Story of a Connecticut Slave,” a virtual presentation, on April 1 at 7:15 p,m.

Registration for this free Zoom program is at noblehorizons.org.

Salisbury history teacher Rhonan Mokriski and his students will discuss their extensive research into the buried story of James Mars and other Black American slaves in Connecticut that have been hidden from history for over a century, an announcement said. As Mokriski explained, “We believe that efforts like this will help refute the impression that American history is inherently white.” Continue reading.

The Library and Searching for Slavery

· ·

By James King, Library Director at Salisbury School, published by the Atlantic Black Box Project on March 5, 2021

James Mars didn’t complain of “many things,” but one thing troubled him his entire life: the lack of “opportunity to go to school as much as I should, for all the books I ever had in school were a spelling-book, a primer, a Testament, a reading-book called Third Part, and after that a Columbian Orator.”  Mr. Mars would go on to write his own book and it seems a fitting tribute to this remarkable man for his story to now further the education of others.

When Salisbury School history teacher Rhonan Mokriski asked me to help with the Searching for Slavery course, I was thrilled to take part.  As the school’s librarian, I had worked with the history department on multiple occasions and was excited about the prospect of a more extensive collaboration.  Over the last year, my contribution to the class has been in three parts:  finding, providing, and showcasing research resources and media creation applications; researching with students during class time; and contributing articles and comments to the class’s Microsoft Teams channel. Continue reading.

Searching for Slavery in Northwest Connecticut: Project-Based Learning on the Hilltop

· ·

By Kristina Miller in Salisbury School News  on January 15, 2021

History Faculty Rhonan Mokriski ’90 and his students embarked on a project-based learning course this year entitled, “Searching for Slavery in Northwest Connecticut.” The goal was to engage students as public historians in authentic tasks to discover and share the local contributions people of color have made to the building of our communities.

To prepare, over the summer, Rhonan helped facilitate a Connecticut Association of Independent Schools webinar for educators on how to rethink lessons on racism and slavery. His program was featured in the New Haven Register, and enabled him to tee up a number of projects when the boys returned this fall.  Continue reading.