February marks Black History Month, a period of remembrance for the critical figures and events that have shaped our national identity. Within the great umbrella of American Black History, the city of New Haven has several historic pillars of our own.
At the New Haven Museum, visitors and locals can explore the history of the Amistad Affair through the exhibit “The Amistad Story: Cinque Lives Here.” The permanent exhibit chronicles the events of the revolt and subsequent legal case, a defining moment in the anti-slavery movement. Read more about it on our blog. Your next stop on the New Haven Black History trail will bring you to the statue of William Lanson, which stands at 7 feet tall on the Farmington Canal. Read more about his history here.
With a solid historical foundation under our feet, let’s look to present-day celebrations of Black history in New Haven. On February 15th NXTHVN, the city’s cutting-edge center for transformative art mentorship, will host NXTHVN Performs: New Haven Jazz honoring the Dixwell Neighborhood’s jazz history with an intimate and intergenerational performance.
