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ZOOM- Were There Slaves in Southbury?

Program Type:

Lectures

Age Group:

Adults
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Registration for this event is no longer open.

Program Description

Southbury 350th Anniversary

The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury.

The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich.

In 1673, 15 families from Stratford travelled up the Pootatuck (Housatonic) River on rafts and canoes, settling on land in this area known as the Pomperaug Plantation, which was purchased from the Pootatuck Native Americans. Those religious dissidents spent their first night in Woodbury and the second night under a white oak tree on Crook Horn Road, by the former Berry Farm, now known as Settlers Park, in what is now known as Southbury.

Event Details

The lecturer will be speaking live in the Kingsley Room. Register here if you want to watch it at the library.

We have been led to believe that slavery was only found on the cotton plantations in the Southern states. Is it possible that slavery was also in Connecticut? Or even Southbury? Join us as, Melinda Elliott explores Southbury's forgotten population. 

Melinda K. Elliott is the President of the Southbury Historical Society. She enjoys historical research and sharing her latest finds through the historical society newsletter, brochures, panel displays, blogs, two books on local history, and one children's book. Melinda and her husband have three children, all living nearby, and seven grandchildren to spoil. They enjoy road trips and are always on the lookout for old grist mills, covered bridges, and one-room schoolhouses.

Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. For more information about this program, please email Rebecca at rrandall@biblio.org or call the reference desk at 203-262-0626 ext 130.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Zoom

This program will be taking place on Zoom. The invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. To ensure that the invitation link reaches you, check your inbox for the registration confirmation email after signing up.