Avon To Look A CT's Black Civil War Regiments

Avon Historical Society

AVON, CT — Three Avon organizations are jointly hosting a special "Black History Month" program on Sunday looking at Connecticut's Civil War legacy and the Black soldiers who fought from Connecticut.

The public is invited to a special event for Black History Month on Sunday, Feb. 4 (snow date Sunday, Feb. 11) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon.

“Remembering Connecticut’s Colored Regiments: Film Screenings and Discussion” is open to the public, free of charge, and sponsored by the partnership of the Avon Historical Society, Avon Free Public Library, and Avon Senior Center.

This event will feature the screening of two Connecticut-made films highlighting the service of the 29th, 30th, and 31st CT regiments of the Civil War.

The first will be a 15-minute film written and produced in 2023 by the Berlin (CT) Equity Action Team entitled “The Connecticut 29th.”

Chris Barlow of the Berlin Historical Society will provide background about the making of this film which won “Best CT Film” at the Mystic Film Festival.

The second screening will be portions of a documentary about the 29th Connecticut written and produced in 2020 by John Noone for the Connecticut National Guard.

It is a narration from the book, "Out of the Briars," written in 1910 by Alexander Newton who served in the 29th Connecticut regiment.

A moderated discussion will follow with John Mills, president, of Alex Breanne Corp. of Middletown, a nonprofit that researches lesser-known stories of enslaved Americans.

A reception after will be provided so the audience can meet the presenters.

The Avon Senior Center has free parking and is handicapped accessible.

For more information, contact Terri Wilson, Avon Historical Society at info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621