The Freeman Homestead at Derby Neck with Nancy Freeman who was the wife of Roswell Freeman (photo from the Derby Historical Society as posted on The Electronic Valley website).
DERBY — Join Kellogg Environmental Center, of CT State Parks & Public Outreach, on Sunday, June 20 at 1 p.m. for a special virtual presentation by Anthony Martin, PhD from Central Connecticut State University, Department of Anthropology.
In recognition of Juneteenth weekend, Dr. Martin will speak about Black Governors and the historical connections with Osbornedale State Park, Derby CT.
From the mid-18th to mid-19th century, African American communities in New England developed their own political and cultural structure headed by elected officials known as Black Governors or Black Kings.
Black Governors/Kings operated at the local level and performed several important social functions including heading events, resolving conflicts, and advocating for the African American community.
Since 2010, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) professors and students, volunteers, and descendants of Black Governors/Kings have been excavating the homesite of one, and potentially two, Black Governors: Quosh Freeman and his son, Roswell.
The excavation in Osbornedale State Park, Derby, Connecticut aims to raise awareness of the Black Governors as part of the historic African American presence in the city of Derby.
Additionally, since the homesite was occupied for 110 years, the archaeological site provides an understanding of the daily life of three generations of the Freemans and their establishment and maintaining of homeplace across a racialized landscape.
Online access details will be shared with registered participants. Please register for the free webinar through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Calendar of Events https://www.depdata.ct.gov/calendar/viewev.asp?id=7464 or contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for registration assistance.
