A Talk, A Walk, And An Encounter With An Historical Figure In Torrington
Last weekend, an excursion to check out a walking trail developed into so much more than a meditative stroll through the woods in Torrington. The initial draw to attend the John Brown Memorial Walk, an annual event, lead to an encounter with the historical figure whose legacy resonates to this day. The motivation to walk in John Brown’s footsteps, like a journey down a rabbit hole, also brought to light a community of citizens who are committed to his cause of racial equality and racial justice.
First, a little history. John Brown, you may remember, was a pre-Civil War abolitionist who was both revered and reviled for his fiery beliefs that slavery should be abolished at all costs. As a result of his raid on a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859, he was convicted of murder, slave insurrection, and treason. According to the John Brown Birthplace Archeological Preserve, he was, to some people, a murderous lunatic; to others he was a martyr for the abolitionist cause. The fact that Brown was born in Torrington brings his legacy close to home, and the John Brown birthplace is now a stop on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. These are sites in the state associated with the heritage and movement towards freedom of its African-American citizens.
Hosted by the Torrington Historical Society and The John Brown Project, this year’s annual John Brown Memorial Walk and Talk was held on the anniversary of the day, December 2, 1859, that John Brown was hanged. A sizable group (which increases every year, said Mark McEachern, executive director of the Torrington Historical Society) gathered in front of the property located on John Brown Road where Brown lived for the first five years of his life. Although the house was destroyed by fire in 1918, a granite monument was erected in 1932 on the site. It was the focal point during the memorial remarks.
The Reverend Kevin Johnson, pastor of the Workman AME Zion Church, recited an invocation and placed a wreath at the monument. “John Brown’s light shone bright, and he passed the torch for others to light and do justice,” he said, and invited the crowd to sing “This Little Light of Mine.” John Noelke, owner of Howard’s Bookstore, read a poem he’s written about John Brown. Dan Morrison spoke about The John Brown Project, a community art project celebrating John Brown’s passion for equality.
“During Covid, there was a big social justice movement going on, and we were inspired to record the song written about John Brown,” Morrison explained. He was referring to the Civil War song “John Brown’s Body,” which over time morphed into “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” a patriotic song rooted in equality. Morrison and Jacque Williams spearheaded a project to create “His Truth is Marching On,” a musical documentary about the song and its evolution through the styles of American music. The film won an Award of Merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations and was screened at the Tiny Abolitionist Film Festival in Torrington last June. (See? Rabbit hole.)
But perhaps the most thought-provoking remarks came from Amy Godine, author of The Black Woods: Pursuing Racial Justice on the Adirondack Frontier, who was scheduled to give a talk about her book later that day. In the book, she considers John Brown’s relationship to the Black community, and vice versa. Godine remembers being questioned at a conference: What would you have done during the abolitionist movement? Recognizing that she could not answer honestly considering the context of the times, she knows that in today’s world, she wants to do everything she can to help stop injustice. Addressing the group last weekend, she asked, what is the crisis of humanity that you are called on to answer today, and how will you do that?
Then it was off to walk the John Brown Loop Trail, a 2/3-mile nature trail around the 40-acre homestead. It’s an easy walk, well marked and flat, allowing mental space to reflect on the life and legacy of John Brown, and a fine place to reprise a chorus of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Please Support Rural Intelligence
We want to continue delivering the entertaining, informative and upbeat stories in the inimitable Rural Intelligence style, despite a pandemic. But we need your support to keep us going. Please consider making a donation; even a small amount helps secure our future. Support us now.
(If you prefer, mail a check to: 45 Pine Grove Ave., Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.)
Support Now