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Witness Stones

Witness Stones ceremony

The Witness Stones Project is a search into Connecticut' s dark history to reveal the hard truths of our country. We aim to shine a light on an injustice that was erased over time. Arden ’28

What is the Witness Stones Project?

Each spring, Foote seventh graders delve into the Witness Stones Project and the history of American slavery with first-person accounts. For that project, they engage in primary document research with local historians to understand Connecticut’s role in slavery and the personal stories of enslaved individuals. The project culminates with the students leading a community event and laying a stone at the residence of the enslaved person. Through these projects, students develop their skills in reading, writing, thinking, speaking and research. They also find their voice as they explore themes of social justice and equity.

The Witness Stones Project is inspired by the Stolpersteine project in Germany. The Stolpersteine project uses brass memorial stones embedded in the pavement to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution. These stones are placed at the last known address of the victim before their persecution or deportation. 

The Witness Stones Project uses bronze markers to recognize and honor people who were enslaved locally. The mission of the project is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities.

Researching Sharper Rogers

As a Revolutionary War soldier, Sharper Rogers helped build this country, not just this community. It is our hope that his marker will be installed at a prominent location in New Haven, where his contributions can be recognized by the broader public. In the meantime, we will keep his marker at Foote. Gabe ’28

About the Project:

Witness Stone for Sharper Rogers
The Story of Sharper Rogers

By Eli Grutzendler ’28

We have limited information about Rogers but by looking at many primary documents we know he fought in the war, information about his second wife, and where he likely lived. His story helps us restore the humanity that slavery tried to erase by dehumanization and racism.

Read More about The Story of Sharper Rogers

Blackout Poetry

Introduced by Carter Liston ’28:

Writer Andrew Laver describes black out poetry as a form of found poetry in which you take an existing page of text—like from a newspaper, book, or magazine—and redact or "black out" most of the words. The unredacted words that remain are pieced together to create a completely new poem or message.

Today’s blackout poems come from one of the books we read as a class, To Be a Slave, by Julius Lester.

Did you know?

Did you know that in 1650, Connecticut became the second state to legalize slavery?

Did you know that Connecticut was involved in the Triangle Trade and a part of the shipping of sugar, rum, and enslaved Africans?

Did you know that in 1784, Connecticut was one of the last states to enact a Gradual Emancipation Act, gradually emancipating slaves without making slavery immediately illegal?

Did you know that in 1793, Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin, right here in New Haven, which greatly increased the slave demand because more slaves were needed to produce cotton?

Did you know that in 1848, slavery ended in Connecticut, 64 years after the Gradual Emancipation Act had been passed, becoming the last state in New England to fully abolish slavery?

Did you know that after Connecticut abolished slavery, it still significantly profited from the imported goods from the South?

7X Reflections

7X Reflections