Join us as we dedicate a Witness Stone in memory of Adam Jackson, who was enslaved on the property for more than three decades. Students from The Williams School share their journey learning about the lives of Adam and his family. The installation will take place on the grounds, accompanied by remarks from members of the community and student project presentations.
Join Living Historians Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project and Tammy Denease of Hidden Women Productions as they commemorate Juneteenth in this special virtual presentation. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, announced in 1865 by Union Soldiers in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free.
Gather around the campfire for a community conversation on the grounds of the Hempsted Houses to commemorate historic and present-day struggles toward freedom and hear more about the work of Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project.
Join Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project as well as staff from the Hempsted Houses and the Shaw Mansion as we continue the conversation around the truthful narrative of American history and the legacies of slavery.
Join Connecticut Landmarks for a Juneteenth celebration with the City of New London, highlighting the African American history of the Hempsted Houses and the surrounding New London neighborhood, with partners.
Reflect in community with neighbors under the tent on our historic property
Ever wonder what it was like to work in the 18th century? Travel back to the colonial era with the Nathan Hale Fife and Drum encampment as they recreate life as a Revolutionary War soldier. Learn about 18th-century tools and techniques used in the historic trades with demonstrations by woodworker, carpenter & Joiner John Baron and Blacksmith Baird Wech-Collins who will forge a variety of tools and hardware.
Joshua Hempsted held many positions throughout his lifetime, one of which was headstone letterer. On Wednesday, December 27th, 1749, our diarist writes, “fair & cold I finisht engraving a headstone for Samll Bills wife.” Join headstone carver Andrew Carr as he re-creates a headstone using Joshua’s lettering style with 18th–century carving techniques. A tour of the house is included with admission.
Walking tour of one of New England’s earliest graveyards, with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there.