Visit Farmington's Freedom Trail Sites in Person or Online

In 1995, 60 sites in Connecticut were identified as being historically significant in moving Connecticut’s African American citizens towards freedom, creating the Freedom Trail. The goal was to increase awareness and encourage tourism to the sites. Seventy more buildings, monuments and graveyards have been added to the trail since then. Of the 130 sites now included on the trail, 12 are in Farmington.

A new, interactive virtual Connecticut Freedom Trail, which includes video, news, events and a section for youth, was unveiled at a ceremony Feb. 17 at the State Capitol.

President Jean Pickens, Vice President Joanne Lawson, Secretary Ann Newbury, Freedom Trail leader Wendy Burki, and members Judy Cowell and Nancy Nickerson joined Governor Dannel Malloy, State Rep. Bill Wadsworth and other state officials for the launch of the new  website.

“Farmington, as home to many Underground Railroad and Amistad sites, is a significant part of the project,” remarked Lawson, who represents Farmington on the Connecticut Freedom Trail Committee. “I am very proud to be continuing the work of Peggy Yung, a founding member of the Connecticut Freedom Trail.”

Gov. Malloy welcomed the addition of the online version of the Connecticut Freedom Trail, noting “we don’t tell whole story of the role Connecticut has played in American history. You would think Civil War was only fought in Pennsylvania and Virginia-you wouldn’t know the role we played in major conflicts, or in the Industrial Revolution.”

Descriptions of and directions to the 12 Farmington sites are available on the website:

Austin F. Williams House and Carriage House
127 Main Street

Canal House and Pitkin Basin
128 Garden Street

Elijah Lewis House
1 Mountain Spring Road

First Church of Christ, Congregational
75 Main Street

Farmington Historical Society
138 Main Street

Norton House
11 Mountain Spring Road

Reverend Noah Porter House
116 Main Street

Riverside Cemetery
Garden Street

Samuel Deming House
66 Main Street

Samuel Deming Store
2 Mill Lane

Smith-Cowles House
27 Main Street

Union Hall
13 Church Street

The Farmington Historical Society will host the Farmington Women Honoring Farmington Women luncheon, honoring women who have made contributions in the arts, health care, politics, education, business, civic organizations, athletics, and other fields at the Farmington Country Club, March 25th at noon. Women are invited to select honorees for the event, which will benefit the society. The cost of the fundraising event is $50 per person. The women chosen to be honored may be living or deceased. Please call (860) 678-1645 to receive a nomination form and for more information.