First Church

Saturday, June 21, 9:30 - 11:30 am, Long Wharf Dock, New Haven

The year-long, 14,000 mile international tour of the Freedom Schooner Amistad, marking the bicentennial of the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade, concludes with the vessel's return to her home port of New Haven and a welcome from local dignitaries. Music from church choirs and drumming groups will join words from New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, State Senator Toni Harp, Clifton Graves, Poet Ngoma, and William Hosley as they welcome Connecticut's Official Flagship and Tall Ship Ambassador home.

The vessel will be open for tours from noon to 2:00 pm, and there will be a panel discussion at the New Haven Museum & Historical Society at 4:30 pm. [From ctucc.org. Also see the Amistad America site.]

The history of the original Amistad and its crew of former slaves is connected with Yale Divinity School and the churches of our area.