Witness Stones Project, Inc.

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West Hartford Pays Homage to Those Enslaved in Witness Stones Installation Ceremony

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West Hartford Witness Stones. Photo Credit: John Lyons

By Bridget Bronsdon in We-Ha.com on June 18, 2023

Through a deeply local perspective, West Hartford local leaders and students had the chance to come together in the days before Juneteenth to hold a Witness Stones Installation Ceremony – commemorating and paying tribute to local slave history.

The Witness Stones Project aims to “restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities.” Through immense research, exploration, and analysis of local history, West Hartford, which began a Witness Stones Project in 2018, was able on Saturday to honor another 10 of the 100-plus formerly-enslaved individuals who walked the same grounds we do today. Continue reading.

West Hartford to Hold Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Witness Stones Dedication

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By Ronnie Newton on We-Ha.com on June 12, 2023

 

It was the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but West Hartford held a small-scale Juneteenth celebration in June 202o. This Saturday, June 17, 2023, the town will officially hold its third annual celebration and the event will be bigger and better than ever, said organizer Adrienne Billings-Smith.

“I’m so excited,” said Billings-Smith, who is now the equity coordinator in West Hartford’s Office of Equity Advancement. The third annual full-scale celebration will include music, art, inspirational messages, and other activities for people of all ages. 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.

West Hartford to Celebrate Juneteenth on Sunday

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By Fox61 on June 19, 2022

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — West Hartford will be hosting its third annual Juneteenth CommUNITY Celebration on Sunday, June 19 at Blue Back Square.

At 12:30 p.m., at Blue Back Square, the Witness Stones Project will dedicate 14 new Witness Stones. This project seeks to restore the history and honor the humanity and contributions of enslaved individuals, who in part, built our community. 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.

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.

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