Venture Smith Day

Saturday, September 7; 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

First Church Cemetery
499 Town Street, East Haddam, CT

28th Annual Venture Smith Day

 

The 28th Annual Venture Smith Day Connecticut Freedom Trail Celebration will take place on Saturday September 7, 2024 in First Church Cemetery, 499 Town Street, East Haddam. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and umbrella for the sun.

Ceremonies will begin at 1 pm and last until 4 pm and will include 4 speakers, a proclamation, comments by Dr. Stofko on "What's New with Venture This year", a wreath laying ceremony and the annual photo of the descendants attending. 

Speakers:
1. A director of the Venture Farming Institute in CT and RI for BIPOC and why it was named after our Venture Smith.

2.Dr. John Wood Sweet of the University of North Carolina, who will speak about "Ties that Bind: Slavery, Freedom, and Family in Venture Smith's Life."

3. Susu Henry Ryan, 9th generation descendant, will speak about her recent program in Boston called "Vessels of Slavery: A History of Slavery in Cape Ann, MA."

4. Dr. Karl Stofko, East Haddam's Municipal Historian and Venture Smith family genealogist will talk about "Venture's walk to Malagasco in Africa as a young slave."

Exhibits and refreshments will be available after the event in the Parish Hall of the church. In case of rain meet in the church. The East Haddam Historical Society Museum at 264 town Street  will be open from 11 am to 5 pm  for those wishing to see their Venture Smith Exhibit and its new additions.

For more information contact Dr. Stofko or Susan R. Waide, Public Relations at 860316-8758 or srwaide@cs.com.