African American Memorial
Africans, African Americans, and Native Americans were part of the Hartford community as early as 1639, yet no stone commemorated the graves of more than 300 and perhaps as many as 500 of their number. In 1998 local students initiated research that led to the installation of this marker in their memory.
Read moreUncovering Their History: African, African-American and Native-American Burials in Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, 1640-1815
In 2019, the the Ancient Burying Ground Association initiated this extensive research project to uncover the history of African, African-American and Native-American Burials at this site. The project was led by Dr. Katherine A. Hermes, professor emeritus in the Department of History, Central Connecticut State University. Using probate records, census data, vital records, church records, state archival materials, seaman’s protection certificates, newspapers, and many other sources, the research team pieced together what remains of this obscured past.
The was funded in part by the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office of the Department of Economic and Community Development with funds from the Community Investment Act.