Picture Connecticut: CT's Role In The Underground Railroad

FARMINGTON, CT — This week's image in the Picture Connecticut series is fitting for the Juneteenth holiday.

It's the marker that preserves the state's major role in the Underground Railroad and is known as the beginning of the Farmington Freedom Trail.

According to the Historical Market Database, the section of Farmington was known in the 1800's as the main station of Connecticut's part in the Underground Railroad.

Farmington was home to an active group of prominent abolitionists three of which participated in the Amistad case and brought the Mendis to town in 1841 after the courts declared them free. The Amistad survivors studied and worked as free citizens in Farmington for eight months while money was raised for their return to Africa.

Here's a glance at the trail, courtesy of the Farmington Historical Society:

Farmingtonʼs Freedom Trail 2.7 miles

• 13 Church St Union Hall — Site of abolitionist and anti-abolitionist meetings.
• 75 Main St First Church of Christ — Freed Amistad survivors were welcomed at the site.
• 66 Main St., the Samuel Deming House — An abolitionist who supervised the "African stay."
• The Freedom Trail Marker
• 2 Mill Lane — The Samuel Deming Store, where Africans attended classes on the second floor.
• 116 Main St. — The Rev. Noah Porter House, an abolitionist and minister of the First Church.
• 127 Main St. — The Austin F. Williams House and its Carriage House, a dormitory for Africans.
• Riverside Cemetery
• 128 Garden St. Pitkin Basin, where Africans would swim after work.
• 820 Farmington Ave. — The Chauncey Brown House. Dr. Brown housed an Amistad captive.
• 27 Main St. — The Smith-Cowles House, a station for the Underground Railroad.

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Picture Connecticut is a weekly Patch series featuring unique images of the state, past and present.Previous featured images:

• The cow carousel, Ellington
• Charles Island, Milford
• State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown
• Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry, Glastonbury/Rocky Hill
• The Old County Jailhouse, Tolland
• Agent Orange Monument, Andover
• The Sunken Garden, Farmington
• Lafayette Tour Monument, Vernon
• The Pinchot Sycamore, Simsbury
• Bob's Discount Furniture Studios, Manchester