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Unforgotten: Connecticut's Hidden History of Slavery

Unforgotten: Connecticut's Hidden History of Slavery

The story of Northern slavery in the United States has been locked away, erased. We didn't learn it in history class. But it happened. Slavery existed in towns across early Connecticut. Now stories of the enslaved are being uncovered and reclaimed. Connecticut Public explores this hidden history in a special series of stories, featuring historians, experts and descendants of the enslaved.

Unforgotten: Connecticut's Hidden History of Slavery | One-hour special

Unforgotten: Connecticut's Hidden History of Slavery | One-hour special

Video has Closed Captions

Enslaved people helped build the foundation of CT. Get to know the lives they lived. (57m 4s)

Students carry stories of slavery forward

Students carry stories of slavery forward

Video has Closed Captions

As CT learns about its ties to slavery, efforts are underway to ensure stories live on. (9m 1s)

Sharing the story of Venture Smith

Sharing the story of Venture Smith

Video has Closed Captions

Venture Smith wrote the earliest published narrative of slavery in the Americas. (9m 41s)

Rediscover Sawney Freeman's music

Rediscover Sawney Freeman's music

Video has Closed Captions

Sawney Freeman's life is brought to light and his music is performed and recorded. (13m 10s)

Historical examination

Historical examination

Video has Closed Captions

Slavery existed across colonial Connecticut, contrasting with America’s sanitized history. (13m 3s)

Descendants share stories of their ancestors

Descendants share stories of their ancestors

Video has Closed Captions

A family learns that their ancestors were enslaved in Connecticut. (12m 43s)

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