Beyond the Amistad: Black History at CMCH

The CMCH is partnering with the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center to offer a joint program that explores the Black experience in Connecticut!

The program begins at CMCH at 10:00 am with a Behind-the-Scenes tour, highlighting items that tell the story of black Connecticans, both ordinary and extraordinary, from the 1600s to today. You’ll learn about a Harlem Renaissance writer, Ann Petry, who carefully preserved artifacts chronicling the black community of Saybrook. Examine daguerreotypes by Augustus Washington, who abandoned a successful Hartford photography business to build a new nation in Africa. Browse through the photo album of a Hollywood actress who became a champion of labor rights for black entertainers. Marvel at the gorgeous costumes created by CT’s West Indian community for their annual MAS celebration. And get to know James Pennington, a hero of the anti-slavery movement whose words later became an inspiration for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Then, at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center at 1:00pm, the Black Perspectives tour emphasizes the Black experience of the 19th century and today. During a guided tour guests will uncover the voices of people of color surrounding Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The Black Perspectives tour uses Stowe’s home and collections to promote vibrant conversations focused on the Black voices that influenced Stowe and the voices that influence positive change today.

Each tour lasts approximately one hour. The cost is $30 per person.

Advanced reservations are required a minimum of 7 days in advance. Tickets can be purchased online here. This tour is subject to cancellation due to insufficient numbers.

Join us on one of the scheduled public dates, or contact the Stowe Center to book the experience for your group, adrakes@stowecenter.org or 860-522-9258 ext. 307.

Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger at natalie_belanger@chs.org or call 860-236-5621 ext. 289.