Farmington Historical Society Begins Hosting Educational Walking Tours

FARMINGTON, CT — The Farmington Historical Society has launched a walking tour that explores Farmington Village and its history as a temporary home for people who had escaped slavery in the early 1800s.

Called "The Odyssey of The Amistad: A Trail to Freedom," the hour-long walking tour is hosted by Andre Keitt, the historical society's education and programming consultant who officials said "uses his unique storytelling skills to bring history to life."

The tour will retrace the steps of the Mende people, who in 1839 were captured against their will from present-day Sierra Leone and forced onto a ship called La Amistad, destined to be enslaved in Cuba, officials with the historical society said.

But the prisoners, led by Sengbe Pieh (also known as Joseph Cinque), took control of the ship and sailed it to Long Island, New York, where they were recaptured and sent to trial in Connecticut.

Following a two-year-long appeal for freedom championed by John Quincy Adams, the Mende were declared free in 1841. They then lived in Farmington for eight months, saving up money to eventually return to Africa, the historical society said.

During the tour, participants will be led past the homes of the abolitionists who helped the Mende people, officials said.

"The Farmington Historical Society has designed its entire 2022 programming schedule to celebrate cultural preservation by reintroducing Farmington's past in a way that brings our community together," Farmington Historical Society President Jay Bombara said in a statement. "Our goal is to give our neighbors the opportunity to explore, meet, and mingle in their own backyard while also welcoming visitors who want to know more about our very special town and its unique Amistad connection."

Tours will take place from 10 a.m. to around 11:30 a.m. on most Fridays and Saturdays through October. They meet at the First Church of Christ, Congregational (75 Main St.), where the event begins with a 30-minute live presentation.

Tickets cost $15 per adult and $8 per child with discounts available for senior groups and school groups, and they can be purchased here.