Connecticut’s story of freedom has some remarkable – but overlooked – chapters.
On this historical walking tour, you’ll trace the exact parade route taken by the brave men of the 29th and 30th Connecticut Colored Regiments as they returned from the Civil War on November 24, 1865. Along the way, you’ll discover how these soldiers fought valiantly despite lower pay, discrimination, and the knowledge that they could face execution if captured by Confederate forces.
The tour starts at Connecticut’s Old State House on Central Row, where the regiments stood as Governor Buckingham honored their bravery. You’ll follow their footsteps through Hartford’s historic center, and along Main Street where the city’s wealthiest residents and most significant buildings stood. As you walk, you’ll find out how these men were among the first Union troops to enter Richmond after its fall.
You’ll hear the stories of remarkable soldiers like Private Isaac J. Hill, who published a memoir documenting the regiment’s experiences, and the Starr family, whose military service spanned generations from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. You’ll also learn how Frederick Douglass visited the regiments’ camp, declaring them “pioneers of the liberty of your race.” The tour ends back at Connecticut’s Old State House.
On this 75-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
• Explore the historic Pratt Street District, once home to Hartford’s wealthiest residents during the Civil War era
• Learn about Black Revolutionary War veterans whose descendants served in Connecticut’s Colored Regiments
• Discover how Connecticut’s Black Civil War regiments were among the first Union troops to enter Richmond after its fall
• Witness the contrast between the mansions of Hartford’s elite and the inequities the soldiers faced
• Visit Washington Street’s “Governor’s Row,” home to political elites when the soldiers marched past
• Walk past the Ancient Burial Ground where five elected Black governors are interred
• Learn about Talcott Street Church, the center of Hartford’s early Black community
This tour offers a chance to experience a powerful but little-known chapter of Connecticut history, honoring the courage and sacrifice of men who fought for a country that hadn’t yet recognized their full citizenship.
 
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