‘Flagship of Connecticut’ is ‘beacon of hope’

Schooner Amistad coming to Middletown’s Harbor Park Oct. 2

MIDDLETOWN — The Amistad, a schooner designated by the state legislature as “the flagship of Connecticut” in 2003, will be docking at Harbor Park next month as part of its Journey to Freedom.

The tall ship is now on view on the Connecticut River in Hartford at Riverfront Recapture’s Mortensen Riverfront Plaza as part of a monthlong series of community events, ecumenical services and educational programs, according to Discovering Amistad, which is based in New Haven.

“Middletown has recognized its role in the African and Caribbean slave trades, and many groups here are working to achieve racial equity,” Municipal Historian Deborah Shapiro said Wednesday. “The story of the Amistad is a beacon of hope toward achieving that goal.”

The vessel, which set sail from Old Saybrook on Tuesday, passed through Middletown on its way to Hartford, escorted by a Middletown fire boat, according to Harbormaster Drew French. “It was a great experience,” he said.

The Amistad captain was unfamiliar with the Connecti

cut River, so he needed assistance from fire personnel, he said. “The boat drafts at 101⁄2 feet. The channel is maintained by the Coast Guard at a depth of 14 feet.”

“It’s been a while since they dredged it,” French said. “Problem areas (such as sandbars) made it a challenge.”

The schooner also docked in the city in 2000.

“The return visit of the Amistad, 21 years after her first, is especially significant as we commemorate the third anniversary of the unveiling of the Middle Passage plaque in Harbor Park,” Shapiro said.

The first day of classes at the new $87.35 million Beman Middle School, named after a local free Black family of abolitionists, coincides with the schooner’s visit and ceremony, Shapiro said.

Mayor Ben Florsheim, who reached out to the nonprofit organization, coordinated the visit, according to Robin Hogen, cochairman of the Discovering Amistad board of directors.

Middletown had one of the “most responsive” mayoral offices Hogen has ever contacted, he said. “The team is absolutely amazing.

“We contacted the mayor’s office about the opportunity and the possibility of being able to make a stop and they jumped at the chance,” he added.

Free tours will be conducted Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; however, Hogen said, the hours could change.

Having the Amistad stay at the harbor for a second day won’t be possible because of a planned trip to New Haven, as well as limited crew time, since the captain can only work during the weekend, Hogen said.

The Amistad will set out from Hartford on Friday and is expected to arrive at Harbor Park in the afternoon, Shapiro said. The historical society will be holding a

port marker ceremony Saturday.

In 2019, Middletown was recently designated as a Site of Memory by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as part of the international project, “The Slave Route: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage.”

The Middle Passage Ceremony and Port Marker Project Committee has been coordinating the visit with the arts office and Middlesex Historical Society.

The Amistad Journey to Freedom will commemorate the 1839 trial at Connecticut’s Old State House of 53 natives from Sierra Leone who were kidnapped and sold into slavery, according to Discovering Amistad.

“These men and children fought for their lives and their

freedom aboard the Amistad,” it said in a statement.

The trial, which found those involved in the Amistad uprising not guilty, marked an early victory for abolitionists and led to the eventual return of the captives to their native land, the organization said.

“The first Amistad trial unfolded in our courtroom,” Sally Whipple, executive director of Connecticut’s Old State House, said in a prepared statement.

“With the Amistad in Hartford, people will have a rare opportunity to experience two important parts of the story and reflect deeply on its meaning in our lives today,” she added.

Harbor Park is located at 80 Harbor Drive. For information, visit discoveringamistad.org.

Andy Hart / Contributed photos The Amistad, now docked in Hartford throughout September, will visit Middletown’s Harbor Park on Oct. 2. The schooner arrived in the capitol city Tuesday evening.

The Amistad, now docked in Hartford for the rest of the month, will visiting Middletown’s Harbor Park on Oct. 2.

Drew France / Contributed photo The Amistad passes Harbor Park in Middletown as it heads up the Connecticut River on its way to Hartford on Tuesday.

Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media Deborah Shapiro, Middletown’s municipal historian, looks at a plaque in Harbor Park marking Middletown as a Site of Memory for the Slave Route project.