New London, CT – Join us and our friends from New London Landmarks for a walking tour of the Hempsted Historic District, one of New London’s first African-American neighborhoods. This district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Hear the stories of the people who lived in this neighborhood and explore how this diverse area evolved. The neighborhood grew up around the Joshua Hempsted House, built in 1678. Residents have included slaveholders, civic leaders, abolitionists, a Revolutionary War hero and at least two enslaved people. Stay afterward for cookies, lemonade & a chance to talk more about the area. This free event takes place Saturday, June 3, from 2 to 3:30 pm as part of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s CT Trails Day.
The Hempsted Houses are located at: 11 Hempsted Street, New London, CT. The site is open for tours May through October. For hours and more information, visit www.ctlandmarks.org; email hempsted@ctlandmarks.org; or call (860) 443-7949.
About The Hempsted Houses
The 1678 Joshua Hempsted House is the oldest house in New London and is one of New England’s best-documented dwellings. Adjacent to the Joshua Hempsted House is a rare stone house built in 1759 by Nathaniel Hempsted. Both structures survived the 1781 burning of New London and stand today as testaments of 17th and 18th-century daily life.
About Connecticut Landmarks
Connecticut Landmarks’ mission is to inspire interest and encourage learning about the American past by preserving selected historic properties, collections and stories and presenting programs that meaningfully engage the public and our communities. For more information, please visit www.ctlandmarks.org.