Discovering Amistad, New Haven, Conn.

The organization purchased the Amistad, Connecticut's flagship and reconstruction of the original schooner, in November 2015. Our goal became one of educating students of all ages on the importance of the Amistad Rebellion in history and how the lessons of that fight for freedom can inspire and teach us to promote human rights for all people.

The lessons begin with the 1839 Amistad Uprising and the subsequent landmark Supreme Court decision while highlighting themes of social justice such as dehumanization, resistance, and modern-day comparisons. The program is the only one of its kind. With lessons conducted by our specially trained educators in classrooms and aboard the ship, history comes to life as we use the past as a framework for addressing present challenges related to diverse social issues.

A Brief History

In 1839, Mende captives from Sierra Leone took control of the ship, the Amistad. Unable to navigate back to Africa, the ship was captured and towed into the port of New London Harbor in Connecticut. The Mende were faced with slavery or execution, and their cause was taken up by many residents throughout Connecticut. U.S. Circuit and District courts ruled in favor of the Mende. This case was then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and in 1841 this court agreed with the lower court decisions and the Mende captives were ordered freed.