VIRTUAL - New London Black Heritage Trail

In 1717, New London, Connecticut, passed a referendum forbidding Blacks from living in, or owning a business in the town. Today, New London’s City Council has a majority of people of color and women. The story of that transition, including the struggles, the victories and the defeats, has never been told. In a historic collaborative effort of elected officials, grant funders, and various community historians and researchers, the Black Heritage Trail has begun to change that narrative to be more reflective of New London’s complete history.

Tom Schuch, one of the researchers for the Black Heritage Trail, will share the story of how this project came about, as well as some of the stories of the men and women who are commemorated on the Trail. These stories run the gamut from enslavement and emancipation, through the struggles for abolition and education, the development of Black churches and community organizations, the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras, right through to several contemporary icons. In addition to telling ‘the half that’s never been told’ of NL history, this Trail also demonstrates how a combination of enlightened leadership, community collaboration, and grant funding can begin to change not only the narrative, but also positively impact the image, culture, civic pride, schools, and the economic atmosphere of our Whaling City.

In 2022 Connecticut Explored Magazine recognized the New London Black Heritage Trail as one of 20 ‘Game-Changers’, programs that are positively changing the way we view Connecticut history.

Tom Schuch is a New London native and a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a longstanding interest in social justice issues. He retired after 38 years as executive director of a local residential facility for troubled adolescent males. He has an avid interest in history, particularly John Brown, the Civil War, and, as a lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan, he has a special interest in forgotten, hidden or suppressed local history. This interest led to the discovery of several of the sites that are now part of the New London Black Heritage Walking Trail.  He has given over 50 presentations and podcasts of his findings, including published articles in Connecticut Explored Magazine, and several local newspapers.