This is a day late because we couldn't find a good picture, and then out of the blue Kathy from @fatface_mysticct texted me this one, which is a picture of a brick with our name on it from the Freedom Courtyard in Norwich.⠀ ⠀ The Norwich Lions and the Norwich Historical Society got together in 2012 to build this commemorative bell cast by Verdin Bell. We were honored that year to both help with the fundraising as part of the Norwich Lions and when you go visit the bell at the steps of the Norwich City Hall, you can see all the other local citizens and businesses that helped make the symbol of freedom come into being that Juneteenth in 2012. When you find our brick, please share the picture.⠀ ⠀ We stand with everyone for equality⠀ ⠀ I'm glad to have learned about the commemoration of Juneteenth that was left out of our Connecticut education system until I started celebrating in Norwich back in the early 2000's. Norwich uses that week as a celebration fo all the ethnic diversity of the town, and it took a few years before I knew what was at the roots of their celebration. What Connecticut lacked in the education of us as kids, we are making up for by commemorating and bringign out past to light.⠀ ⠀ Norwich is especially connected to the blight of slavery through two narratives. Lincoln had a campaign stop in town and stayed at the Wauregan. Also, Norwich as a spur in the Underground railroad with houses dotted all around town with secret little rooms to hide people fighting for their freedoms.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #norwichct #bell #connecticut #freedombell (at Norwich, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqnZxWgHn8/?igshid=p9f4f68l6h1n
