OLD LYME–Twelve small brass plaques commemorating the lives of enslaved African Americans will be installed later this month, bringing the total number of markers known as Witness Stones to 60.
The organization in a press release said this is final year of the five-year project. The latest plaques, to be installed at the Sill Lane Green and the Florence Griswold Museum, join Witness Stones placed on Lyme Street, McCurdy Road, Old Shore Road and at the Lyme Public Library.
Witness Stones this year will honor Prince Freeman, Sabina Freeman, Jordan Freeman, Caesar, Prince, Cesar, Zacheus Still, Philis, Negro Woman (name unknown), Dorcas, Lewis, and Robin Freeman.
Witness Stones Installation Ceremony
Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme
Friday, May 30, 10 to 11 a.m.
The community will gather on the lawn of the Old Lyme Library to celebrate the fifth installation of Witness Stones in the Lyme-Old Lyme area. The program offers music, poetry, and words from community partners. The keynote speaker will be Kate Rushin, Professor of English and Poet in Residence at Connecticut College. Other participants include Dennis Culliton, co-founder of the Witness Stones Project; Michelle Dean, director of curriculum at Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools; Martha Shoemaker, Old Lyme first selectwoman; and poets and singers from Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
Juneteenth Celebration with Jazz & Poetry
Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme
Sunday, June 22, 2 to 4 p.m.
The celebration in honor of Juneteenth—a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—will take place on the north lawn of the museum’s north lawn. The event features acclaimed bassist and composer Avery Sharpe with his quartet, along with distinguished Connecticut poets Marilyn Nelson, Kate Rushin, Rhonda Ward, and Antoinette Brim-Bell. The Avery Sharpe Quartet includes Zaccai Curtis, piano; Haneef Nelson, trumpet; and Yoron Israel, drums.
Seating will be provided under a tent and additional lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged.
Following this event, the Florence Griswold Museum will offer free admission from 3 to 5 pm for visitors to view the closing day of Their Kindred Earth: Photographs by William Earle Williams, an exhibition that seeks to deepen understanding of sites of enslavement in Old Lyme and beyond. The artist will be on hand to sign copies of the newly released exhibition catalogue, available for purchase at the event.
In case of rain, the Juneteenth celebration will take place at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road.