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Welcome to your free bi-weekly newsletter from Connecticut Explored with the latest stories, the newest Grating the Nutmeg podcast, programs and exhibitions from our partners to see/watch this month, and more!
The Latest From Grating the Nutmeg
Sleeping with the Ancestors in Connecticut
Joseph McGill, Jr. found a creative way to preserve the history of enslaved people in both the North and South. He visits structures that were once slave-dwellings. Many of these structures have been preserved, associated with past inhabitants whose own stories have been well-documented. Meanwhile the stories of those they held in bondage have been given less attention.
He sleeps in the dwellings overnight, and he invites the public to participate in conversations through events and campfires.
Here in Connecticut, McGill has slept inside of a building at the Hempsted Houses Museum in New London. Nicole Thomas, the site’s assistant administrator, joins the conversation. She urges the public to learn about the history of slavery in northern states and shares the story of Adam Jackson. Adam Jackson, born around 1700, lived in slavery at the Hempsted House for nearly 30 years. He became free in 1760 and died in 1764.
This conversation is not to be missed. Sleeping with the Ancestors: How I Followed the Footprints of Slavery authored by Joseph McGill, Jr. and journalist Herb Frazier was released this year.
LISTEN: Sleeping with the Ancestors in Connecticut
Trademark Wars: Yale & Towne Defends its Corporate Brand
In this article, Donald Rogers tells the story of Yale & Towne and how lawsuits brought by the manufacturing company tested the limits of the 1905 Trademark Act. Rogers writes,
“[Yale & Towne] originated with Linus Yale Sr., a distant relation to Yale College founder Elihu Yale. He set up a small lock business in Newport, New York in the 1840s, then passed it to his son, Linus Jr., who gave up portrait painting to open his own small lock shop in Philadelphia. To meet public demand for cheaper and less easily picked devices, in 1865 Linus Jr. patented the modern “pin-tumbler” cylinder lock modeled after ancient Egyptian technology. Widely used today, this clever design was more secure, easily adaptable, and cheaply mass-produced. It needed only a small, flat, serrated key to operate. Linus Jr. introduced it in banks, then applied it to padlocks.”
When the patent expired in 1885, many other companies started producing pin-tumbler cylinder locks of their own, and would sometimes market their own products as “Yale locks,” claiming that this referred simply to the type of lock. Yale & Towne used advertisements like the one pictured above to distinguish their product from competitor’s locks. They also attempted to use the law to protect their trademark.
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History on the Airwaves
Just last week, CT Public released two episodes of Where We Live on Connecticut history we think you’ll enjoy.
Connecticut Explored’s publisher, Katherine Hermes, joined a discussion about Connecticut’s witch panic and the significance of a recent state resolution reckoning with these centuries-old wrongful accusations.
LISTEN: Before there was Salem, there was Connecticut, Where We Live, WNPR
Get acquainted with the new State Historian of Connecticut, Andy Horowitz. In his interview with Catherine Shen, he reflected on his path to becoming a historian and how he intends to serve our state in his new role.
LISTEN: Andy Horowitz is the new Connecticut State Historian Where We Live, WNPR
Programs and Exhibitions to Enjoy This Month
50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
Thursday, Nov. 2 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM| The Amistad Center, Hartford
Join The Amistad Center for Art & Culture to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop and its significant impact on art, music, fashion and culture with live performances, food, poetry and more! The event will be catered by Berkins on Main.
Ticket price: $25
For tickets, visit AmistadCenter.org
Celebrate Native American Heritage
Saturday, Nov. 4 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Nowashe Village, South Windsor
Pull up a log or layout a fur and join Abenaki elder and national storyteller Willow Greene around the Nowashe’s central fire pit for this family friendly event. Willow brings with her a small pouch and asks volunteer audience members to reach in and pick out a stone. Since each stone relates to a different story, every one of Willow’s storytelling events is unique. Play some Indigenous games. Feel free to explore the many Native artifacts on hand.
Suggested donation: $5 per child, $10 for adults, $25 per family.
For more information, visit Nowashe.org
Veterans Day History Presentation
Thursday, Nov. 9 | 6:00 p.m | New Haven Museum (also available via Facebook Live)
In honor of Veterans Day, John Mills, an independent scholar and president of the Alex Breanne Corporation (a Connecticut-based non-profit researching the lives of the enslaved), will present "Individuals of Connecticut's Colored Regiments." A pre-lecture reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. The FREE event will also stream on FB Live.
During his presentation, Mills will delve into the lives and experiences of some of the men who enlisted in the 29th Rgt., explore the current understanding of them, and challenge how the nation recognizes their unique sacrifices today.
For free registration, visit NewHavenMuseum.org
Editor’s Picks
Want to explore the topics featured in this edition of the e-Newsletter? Check out these stories from the archives.
“When Connecticut’s Rivers Ran Black,” Connecticut Explored, Spring 2021.
“Adam Jackson’s Story Revealed,” Connecticut Explored, Spring 2013.
“Slave Quarters in Bush-Holley House,” Connecticut Explored, Spring 2020.
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