Re-Imagining Ways to Preserve the Past - Wednesday, September 18 at Noon

Re-Imagining Ways to Preserve the Past

Wednesday, September 18 at Noon

Hartford, CT – From the home of a world-renowned opera singer to the pharmacy operated by the one of the first women in the state licensed as a pharmacist, there are more than 100 sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail that commemorate the accomplishments of African-Americans. But many others have been lost.

Photo provided by Brent Leggs

On Wednesday, September 18, join preservationist Brent Leggs from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for his talk, Re-Imagining Ways to Preserve the Past, and discover how he helps communities save buildings including schools, homes, theaters, and churches that reflect the African-American experience.  These buildings are often “small, unadorned structures” yet their preservation is vital to empowering “black youth by revealing historical themes besides slavery, including entrepreneurship, civil rights, entertainment, sports, education, and political activism,” according to Leggs. Following the brief talk, enjoy a thought-provoking discussion with Glenn A. Cassis, the Executive Director of the Connecticut African-American Affairs Commission and Maisa Tisdale from the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community.  The Center owns the historic Freeman Houses, the only structures remaining from Bridgeport’s Little Liberia that was home to free people of color from 1820-1850.

September is Connecticut Freedom Trail Month and Todd Levine, from the State Historic Preservation Office, will join the discussion to talk about the 130 Connecticut sites, including Connecticut’s Old State House, which embody the struggle toward freedom and human dignity and celebrate the accomplishments of the state's African-American community.

The program begins at noon and is FREE. Discounted parking is available nearby.

For more information, call 860-522-6766. Registrations are encouraged but not required. Register at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OSH2013Lectures.

Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage) and State House Square Garage. The cost, after validation, is $5 for the entire day.