Seasonal & Holidays
Simsbury To Celebrate MLK's Local Legacy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked in the tobacco fields of Simsbury while he was a college student, with a local ceremony slated for Monday.
MLK in Connecticut
SIMSBURY, CT — On Monday, the local community will celebrate the life of a famous historical figure who, for two summers, spent time in Simsbury.
On Monday, Jan. 15, Simsbury will commemorate the famous civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by holding a special program at the First Church of Christ in Simsbury, 689 Hopmeadow St., at 2 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Simsburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The ceremony, hosted by the local "MLK in CT" committee, will celebrate King’s life and particularly his time in Simsbury during the summers of 1944 and 1947, coinciding with the federal holiday marking his birthday.
King was influenced by his two summers spent in Simsbury working at a local tobacco farm.
Find out what's happening in Simsburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"His writings suggest that his call to ministry crystallized during his time spent with a group of
Morehouse College students, earning money for their education working at the Culbro Tobacco
Farm in town," wrote the church in an announcement.
The 2024 keynote speaker will be Dr. Tayarisha Batchelor, director of equity and access for
Simsbury Public Schools.
Musical selections will be performed by the Gertrude Banks Gospel Choir under the direction of
Rebecca Saltzman, choir director of Simsbury High School, and by the Simsbury Intonations
under the direction of Greg Babal, Piano Faculty of The Hartt School.
“We are delighted to continue to honor Dr. King in a meaningful way annually, celebrating his
life, legacy, and deep connection to Simsbury. We are happy to partner with the Simsbury Free
Library, the Simsbury Historical Society, the Simsbury Intonations, and the Simsbury Public
Schools’ Music and Performing Arts Department in this initiative. This event has become a
treasured Simsbury tradition and we’re glad to be back in person this year,” said John Hampton,
chairman of the MLK in Simsbury Celebration Committee.
Following the ceremony, guests will begin a unity march to the "MLK in Connecticut Memorial" located at the Simsbury Free Library, 749 Hopmeadow St.
For more information on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s connection to Connecticut, click on this link.
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