Submitted by Kelvin Cole
(September 14, 2022)— The 26th Annual Venture Smith Day Festivities were held on September 10, 2022 at First Church Cemetery in East Haddam, where Smith (1729-1805) is buried. Son of an African king, Venture Smith was the first Black man to document his capture from Africa, and his life as an American slave and successful freeman in Connecticut. Smith spent most of his freedom years in East Haddam and Haddam Neck. His grave is one of the original sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Speakers at the event included Elizabeth Wood of the Stonington Historical Society, and Dr. Karl Stofko, East Haddam Municipal Historian.
Photo by Kelvin Cole of Venture Smith descendants in attendance at ceremony
