Avon To Dedicate Freedom Trail Site For Black Civil War Veteran

Avon Historical Society

AVON, CT — A local historical site dating back to the Civil War will be dedicated as part of the state's 'Freedom Trail' on Monday, June 2, with the public invited to attend ceremonies.

Local officials and historical organizations will dedicate site No. 164 on the Connecticut Freedom Trail that day.

The site commemorates the life and service of Pvt. Leverett Holden, an Avon resident and Civil War veteran of the 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, Colored.

The dedication will take place on Monday, June 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the East Avon Cemetery, 15 Simsbury Road, and continue with a program at 7 pm inside the historic sanctuary of The Avon Congregational Church, 6 W. Main St., Avon.

The East Avon Cemetery is directly behind the Avon Congregational Church.) The event is free and open to the public.

Holden, a resident of Avon and veteran of the U.S. Civil War, served in the 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, Colored, from 1863 through 1865.

Upon returning to Connecticut with the regiment in late 1865, he resumed his life in Avon. He died in 1877 at 56.

A memorial stone commemorates his service, provided by the State of Connecticut, in the East Avon Cemetery behind the Avon Congregational Church.

According to state records, the Town of Avon placed the stone there on May 29, 1890.

A ceremony to formally acknowledge the site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail will begin at his memorial stone (weather permitting) on Monday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m.

The audience is then invited to the church for presentations at 7 p.m.

Guest presenters will be Tammy Denease, outreach coordinator for the CT Freedom Trail; John Mills, historian of the 29th CT; and Andre Keitt, CT Storyteller, who will explain the meaning of Juneteenth.

This event is sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Congregational Church, Avon Free Public Library, and Avon Senior Center.

For more information on the event, click on this link.