Monday, August 24, 2015

Start Time Announced for September 16 Event with Amistad Rebellion Author Marcus Rediker

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For Immediate Release
August 24, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the film screening starting promptly at 7 p.m. The Q&A session will begin around 8 p.m., with the event ending by 9 p.m.

HARTFORD, CT - Marcus Rediker gave the world a new way to look at Connecticut’s Amistad story. Often told as a tale of court cases and American abolitionists, Rediker reminds us that the Amistad captives - the men and children at the heart of the story - earned their own freedom by applying civic and leadership skills honed in Africa and used in tandem with American supporters.

Now, Rediker’s powerful book, The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom, has a companion piece in a prize-winning documentary film.

On the evening of September 16, Connecticut’s Old State House will welcome writer, producer and University of Pittsburgh professor Marcus Rediker for a special Q&A session and screening of Ghosts of Amistad: In the Footsteps of the Rebels.

Director Tony Buba’s Ghosts of Amistad chronicles a 2013 journey to Sierra Leone where Rediker
interviewed village elders about the local memory of the famous 1839 Amistad Rebellions and searched for the long-lost ruins of the Lomboko slave trading factory where the Amistad captives were held prior to their Atlantic voyage.

The film screening will take place in the Courtroom of Connecticut’s Old State House, the very same room in which the Amistad men and children made their first court appearance during the Amistad
trials. Rediker will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A session where audience members can ask questions and share their feedback on his book, the film and our local memory of the Amistad Rebellion and trials. This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the film screening starting promptly at 7 p.m. The Q&A session will begin around 8 p.m., with the event ending by 9 p.m.


Registration for this event is encouraged, but not required. You can register here.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Amistad Rebellion Author Marcus Rediker to Discuss & Screen Film Evening of September 16

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For Immediate Release
Contact Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 (ext. 116)

Hartford, CT - Marcus Rediker gave the world a new way to look at Connecticut’s Amistad story. Often told as a tale of court cases and American abolitionists, Rediker reminds us that the Amistad captives - the men and children at the heart of the story - earned their own freedom by applying civic and leadership skills honed in Africa and used in tandem with American supporters.

Now, Rediker’s powerful book, The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom, has a companion piece in a prize-winning documentary film.

On the evening of September 16, Connecticut’s Old State House will welcome writer, producer and University of Pittsburgh professor Marcus Rediker for a special Q&A session and screening of Ghosts of Amistad: In the Footsteps of the Rebels.

Director Tony Buba’s Ghosts of Amistad chronicles a 2013 journey to Sierra Leone where Rediker interviewed village elders about the local memory of the famous 1839 Amistad Rebellions and searched for the long-lost ruins of the Lomboko slave trading factory where the Amistad captives were held prior to their Atlantic voyage.

The film screening will take place in the Courtroom of Connecticut’s Old State House, the very same room in which the Amistad men and children made their first court appearance during the Amistad trials. Rediker will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A session where audience members can ask questions and share their feedback on his book, the film and our local memory of the Amistad Rebellion and trials. This event is free and open to the public. A start time will be announced in the coming weeks via press release and social media announcements.

Located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of
government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market is currently open for the season and provides visitors the opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and Made-in-CT crafts on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or visit us online at http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

CT Student & Teacher Return Home from WWII History Lesson in Normandy

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

Hartford, CT - Teacher Lisa-Brit Wahlberg and her student, Connor Lisle, from The Master’s School in History Day in Connecticut, an affiliate program of National History Day, on the trip.
Simsbury recently returned from Normandy, France after they had the experience of a lifetime. They were one of fifteen student and teacher pairs who participated in the Albert H. Small Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Student and Teacher Institute. Lisa-Brit and Connor represented


The 2015 Normandy Institute Group at Utah Beach in France

Each teacher and student pair researched a service member from their home state who died in the Normandy Invasion. Connor and his teacher explored the life of Harlan E Rugg, a second lieutenant in the 101st Airborne AAA Division from Fairfield, Connecticut. Harlan served as a Glider trooper, landing behind enemy lines on June 6, 1944. He was 22 years old when he was killed. Connor conducted extensive research at museums and historical societies, including the Fairfield Museum, about his "Silent Hero." The fifteen soldiers researched by participants were honored with eulogies read by the students at their graves in the American cemetery in Normandy, France. The teams created websites about their soldier.

"The Normandy Institute allowed me to see historical locations and hear firsthand from primary sources about how the Battle of Normandy was fought and understand about the human sacrifice our soldiers made for our freedom and the people of France, "commented Ms. Wahlberg. "I plan," she continued "to bring these influences back into my classroom."

The Albert H. Small Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Student and Teacher Institute seeks to teach a new generation about the sacrifices and challenges faced during World War II. The program is coordinated by National History Day and is funded by a generous donation from Mr. Albert H. Small, a veteran himself. In its fifth year, the program brings students and teachers from around the world to Washington, D.C. for visits to the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, and lectures from World War II veterans and historians. The final stage was a journey to Normandy, France where participants traced the route of their Silent Hero, walked on the beaches of Normandy, and, using their extensive research, read a powerful eulogy at the grave of their Silent Hero.
 
History Day in Connecticut is an affiliate program of the renowned academic program, National History Day (NHD).  The program is led by Connecticut’s Old State House with support from the Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut League of History Organizations, and ConnecticutHistory.org. Major funding is provided by Connecticut Humanities. For more information, contact History Day in Connecticut State Coordinator Rebecca Taber-Conover at 860-522-6766, ext. 11 or rebecca.taber-conover@cga.ct.gov.

 Learn more about History Day in Connecticut by visiting its webpage http://ct.nhd.org, liking the program on Facebook, or following on Twitter. The National History Day website may be viewed at http://www.nhd.org.