Old State House
800 Main Street
Connecticut’s original statehouse is the oldest in the U.S. Many historic events took place here, including the signing of the first written Constitution in the nation, and the Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials. The site contains a the restored, original Senate chamber and a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington.
The first of several trials that involved the fate of the Mende Africans of La Amistad was held here. At the gate to the entrance on Main Street, there is a statue of Cinque, the leader of the kidnapped Mende Africans, at the top of a flagpole (I wish I knew that – I’d have snapped a picture).
I visited the Old State House Museum, but my report never mentions the Amistad.
CTMQ’s Amistad Trail page
CTMQ’s Freedom Trail page
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