The Underground Railroad in Connecticut: Discovering the CT Freedom Trail In-Person
Explore Connecticut’s critical role in the Underground Railroad and its dedication to preserving African American heritage with an engaging presentation by Tammy Denease, Outreach Director for the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Authorized by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1995, the trail commemorates sites of historical importance, including locations connected to the Amistad and safe houses used by abolitionists to shelter fugitive slaves.
Fugitive slaves entered Connecticut at various points, traveling north through towns like Stamford, New Haven, and Old Lyme before reaching Farmington—the “Grand Central Station” of Connecticut’s Underground Railroad. From there, many continued to Westfield or Springfield, Massachusetts, often passing through Middletown, Hartford, and other Connecticut River communities. Some traveled from New London through Norwich and Putnam, while others followed western routes through Waterbury, Torrington, and Winsted. The trail also honors communities where former slaves chose to settle, such as “Little Liberia” in Bridgeport, Jail Hill in Norwich, and the William Winters Neighborhood in Deep River.
Join us to learn more about these historic sites and the journeys that shaped Connecticut's legacy of freedom and civil rights.
Since 1995, the Connecticut Freedom Trail (CFT) has commemorated the fight for emancipation from slavery, honoring the courageous African American individuals who paved the way for future generations. The CFT includes a diverse range of locations, including the Underground Railroad’s safe houses, sites associated with the Amistad case of 1839, and the Civil Rights Movement’s sites, gravesites, monuments, homes, and other structures. Each site is carefully documented and designated to ensure future generations remember the remarkable stories of those who fought for freedom and human dignity. The Connecticut Freedom Trail program documents and designates sites that embody the struggle toward freedom and human dignity, celebrate the accomplishments of the state’s African American community, and promote heritage tourism.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State Historic Preservation Office and the Amistad Committee, Inc. of New Haven are responsible for maintaining and administering the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Learn more here: https://ctfreedomtrail.org/