CT Freedom Trail has Wealth of Sites in Area

The Connecticut Freedom Trail, a group of homes, churches, businesses, cemeteries and other locations in the state relevant to the struggles of African Americans to gain citizenship, freedom and dignity, launched a new Web site and interactive trail map on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The Web site, which allows users to see the locations of Freedom Trail sites and learn more about each one through text and photos, shows the extent of the trail throughout the state. The trail project began in 1996 with 60 locations recognized in 30 towns. It has grown tremendously in the 14 years after it started, doubling in sites and towns recognized. It now boasts more than 130 sites across more than 50 towns.

The majority of Freedom Trail locations are located on the coast and in the cities of Hartford, New Haven and Farmington, reflecting the travel and settlement patterns of those times. But there are significant Freedom Trail locations in this area as well, with multiple sites in Enfield, Manchester, Vernon and Windsor. While some locations are privately owned, others are open to the public and provide a chance to learn about the area and statewide connections to the fights for African-American citizenship, equality and civil rights that were seminal events in the US.

Enfield

Paul Robeson House, 1221 Enfield Street

Paul Robeson was a multi-talented artist, performer and college football star. Born in 1898, he was in middle age as the civil rights movement blossomed in the US and was an advocate for equality at home and abroad.

“Robeson's refusal to remain silent about racism in the United States, along with his ardent desire for full human justice, resulted in him being ostracized by American society,” said information from the Freedom Trail Web site. “He was barred from appearing at concert halls, had his passport revoked and saw his name removed from the football records he had established. He spent the last 15 years of his life in exile abroad and as a recluse in Philadelphia, dying in January 1976.”

Robeson was eventually inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and had his name restored to the records he set at Rutgers University. However, his legacy still suffers from a lack of recognition in historical works.

The home, which is privately owned, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Shaker Village, Shaker Road

Fugitive slaves in the area sometimes came through the Shaker Village complex in Enfield, the most famous being Sojourner Truth. The Shakers embraced pacifism and were staunch proponents of abolition, women’s suffrage and feminism. The entire complex, administered by the Connecticut Department of Correction, is on the National Register of Historic Places but is not open to the public.

Manchester

Hart Porter House and Outbuilding, 465 Porter Street

Although there is not concrete proof that fugitive slaves stayed in the Hart Porter House as a stop on the Underground Railroad, there are a number of clues that the home was used to protect escaping slaves. Oral tradition in the area, the presence of a full basement accessible only by a trap door in the home and strong abolitionist sentiment from the Methodist Church in Manchester all lend credence to the idea of the home being a safe haven for slaves attempting to gain their freedom.

“Porter was married in the church by an abolitionist pastor, which could indicate abolitionist sentiments,” the Freedom Trail Web site said.

The Hart Porter House is privately owned and not open to the public.

Walter Bunce House, 34 Bidwell Street

Alpheus Quicy built this fieldstone home, along with many others in Manchester. Quicy was involved in real estate and construction, endeavors his brother and father participated in as well. The Freedom Trail Web site cites the house as one of the few examples of buildings built by African Americans in New England during that time period. Quicy also constructed other fieldstone homes in Manchester but this is the last structure still standing. The home is not open to the public.

Vernon

Charles Ethan Porter House, 17 Spruce Street

Charles Ethan Porter was an exceptional artist, known for his still-life paintings. The Freedom Trail Web site said he is possibly the first African American to study at New York’s National Academy of Design and one of the first to exhibit his work at the school.

“Carrying with him a letter of recommendation from Mark Twain in 1881, Porter moved to France where he studied in prestigious Parisian art schools and painted in the surrounding countryside.” The Freedom Trail Web site said. “In later years, he had a studio near his Rockville home in the base of a tower, where he painted and taught lessons to local children.”

Porter’s home is not open to the public.

Porter Family Plot, Grove Hill Cemetery, 22 Cemetery Avenue

The Porter family, including Charles Ethan Porter, was active in promoting social awareness for African Americans. Porter’s two sisters married men who were active in social causes as well.

Mary Porter married Henry Vanness, a railroad worker who began a 40-year career as a train conductor in the late 1800s. Vanness is recognized by the Freedom Trail as likely the only black train conductor during his 40 years on the job.

Cynthia Lane Porter was wed to Richard Alonzo Jeffrey, a member of the Lincoln Club, which strove for equality and civil rights for African Americans. Jeffrey was a nephew of noted abolitionists Amos and Leverett Beman.

The Freedom Trail Web site provides directions to the plot, which is open to visitors: “In Grove Hill Cemetery, follow the main drive and turn right at the fourth paved path, the Porter family plot will be on the right. The graves of Henry Vanness and Mary Porter are nearby.”

Windsor

Archer Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 320 Hayden Station Road

The Hayden Station area of Windsor was home to an African-American community in the 1800s and the Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church was an important part of that community. The current building was constructed in 1982 but the presence of the church has continued uninterrupted since it began operating more than 100 years ago.

The Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church is a private site.

Joseph Rainey House, 299 Palisado Avenue

Joseph Rainey was the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as a representative from South Carolina from 1870 to 1879. A staunch supporter of civil rights, Rainey fought for legislation guaranteeing full constitutional protection and privilege for all African Americans.

Rainey bought this house in 1874 to serve as a summer home for himself and his family. They were members of the First Church of Windsor and Rainey was active in town as well, giving a speech at Windsor’s celebration of the US centennial in 1876.

The home is owned privately and is not open to the public.

Palisado Cemetery, Palisado Avenue

Palisado Cemetery is the final resting place for a number of historically significant African Americans. Nancy Toney, the last slave kept in the state, was interred here in 1857. Virgil Simmons, a member of the Connecticut 29th Colored Regiment C.V. Infantry during the Civil War, is buried next to Toney.

The cemetery is open to the public and is part of the Palisado Avenue historic district.

The Freedom Trail Web site provides directions to the graves of Toney and Simmons: “The grave is at the rear of the cemetery, located on the left side of the road in an area with few markers.”

Riverside Cemetery, East Street

Riverside Cemetery holds the final remains of African American soldiers who fought for Connecticut and Massachusetts in the Civil War. Connecticut soldiers were members of the in the 29th and 31st Colored Regiment C.V. Infantries. Seven of the soldiers interred here have been identified, according to the Freedom Trail Web site. They are Travis Babcock, George Fergusson, William Giddy, Wallace Sands, William Swan, Abraham Thompson and Samuel Thompson.

The cemetery is open to the public.

William Best House, 377 Hayden Station Road

William Best was the first African American police officer in Windsor, starting the job in 1951. He stayed on the force until 1969 when an injury led to his retirement. Best is cited by the Freedom Trail Web site as one of the first African American commercial bus drivers in Connecticut. Best, along with his wife Jean, were active members of the Windsor Historical Society.

His home was constructed in 1953 and the land had been in his family since 1873.

The home is privately owned and not open to the public.