Historical Society Presents Amistad Story

In observance of Black History Month, the Farmington Historical Society will present a Hartford-area perspective on the Amistad story on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Barney Library.

Historical interpreter Kim A. Silva will speak.  In addition, placards tracing the history of African-Americans in Farmington since the 17th century will be on display.  A selection of books on Farmington history, including one devoted to African-Americans in the town, will be for sale.

The program will be from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Hoppin Gallery of the Barney Library, 71 Main St., with parking off School Street.  Admission is free.

Farmington in 1841 was the temporary home of the Amistad captives, three dozen Mende tribesmen from Africa who had mutinied and seized the Spanish slave ship Amistad in 1839.  Taken into custody off eastern Long Island, they ultimately secured their freedom under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.  Farmington residents provided housing and schooling for eight months while funds were raised to return the Mende to Africa.

Silva’s talk will link their story to those of Hartford-area people who worked to eliminate slavery.  Of note were the Rev. James W.C. Pennington of Hartford’s Talcott Street (now Faith Congregational) church and the Farmington citizens whose homes were stops on the “Underground Railroad,” which conveyed escaped slaves to freedom in Canada. Because sign language was used in communicating with the Mende, Silva also will discuss ties between their supporters and the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. 

Silva will appear in period costume and use PowerPoint and American Sign Language in her presentation.  During the summer and autumn she leads tours of Farmington’s Freedom Trail for the historical society.