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African-American Settlement Map
 The Historic Sites in the Settlement of African-Americans in Connecticut Map is poster-sized map created and made available by the Connecticut Trust which includes photographs of African-Americans from the late 19th century to the early 20th century from diverse walks of life, and details towns, churches, and neighborhoods important in African-American history in Connecticut.
Historic Sites in the Settlement of African Americans in Connecticut Suggested Activities and resources to accompany use/display of map Find a site identified on the poster that is in your area, for example homesteads, churches, neighborhoods and schools. Take a field trip to see the site, or ask students to visit with a parent, to see if it is still there. Have students describe how the site might be different from its original state, through words or diagrams. Research your own town's connections to the abolition movement and the Underground Railroad. Contact your local historical society or library for help with the research. The Freedom Trail brochure, included in the mailing, lists sites of importance to African Americans in Connecticut. The Freedom Trail web site is worth a visit: http://www.ctfreedomtrail.com for more information and virtual tours. Research some of the people mentioned on the map, especially if they come from near or in your town. Again, your local historical society or library is a good starting point, but also an excellent resource is www.cthistoryonline.org. You may not find the exact name but you will find others!! This web site is an online archive of historical photos, drawing and other images, plus lesson plans! To find local historical societies and museums that have materials and exhibits on African Americans, Slavery, the Underground Railroad, the abolition movement in CT, etc go to http://www.ctheritage.org, a web site operated by the Connecticut Humanities Council and use their search engine to find what you need. You go to the Teacher Resources page and choose African Americans on the drop down menu. There is much to choose from. Arrange a visit! The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism operates the Prudence Crandall house in Canterbury as a museum. Prudence Crandall ran a school for black females in the 19th century and the house is an excellent resource and field trip. The museum is open by appointment through March 15, and then opens for the season. Call 860-546-9916 for an appointment. Two videos are available that capture the history of the African American experience in Connecticut: African Americans in CT: The Colonial Era to the Civil War, and The Civil War to Civil Rights Contact Lisa Comstock at the Connecticut Humanities Council, 860-685-3424 or visit http://www.ctheritage.org and look for information on the videos.
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