One of my favorite things about life in Connecticut is how much history is preserved here. An incredible amount of our past has been painstakingly kept alive for future generations, and you can walk through living history museums, colonial-era homes, and so much more, viewing artifacts from hundreds of years ago. But what about if you’re interested in more recent history? It’s easy to focus on centuries ago and forget that we had a number of major events occur here in the twentieth century, too. If you’re looking for a fascinating collection of historical sites that span multiple centuries, the Connecticut Freedom Trail is right up your alley. The trail encompasses the entire state, and focuses on locations that played an important role in both Connecticut history and African American history. The Connecticut Freedom Trail recently announced a new stop: the New Haven Armory in New Haven. Let’s take a peek back into the past and see what makes this destination so noteworthy, plus learn more about the Connecticut Freedom Trail itself:

There are now more than 130 sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail, from more than 50 towns. These sites span a variety of roles.
First Baptist Church, 10 Northfield St, Greenwich, CT 06830, USA
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Some, like the First Baptist Church in Greenwich, CT, are among the oldest Black churches in the state. The congregation started in 1897 and the building was purchased for church use in 1909.
Other sites were residences of notable citizens, like the Charles Ethan Porter House in Vernon. He was a still-life painter in the late 1800s.
Connecticut Freedom Trail
While his home is now a private residence and not open to the public, many of the sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail can be visited.
The most recent addition to the Connecticut Freedom Trail is the New Haven Armory. The building was added to the list in August 2023.
Staib/Wikimedia Commons
The New Haven Armory was constructed in 1928 and has a rich history.

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The armory was originally designed for the Connecticut National Guard, but it's played a number of other roles as well.
Columbia Pictures/Wikimedia Commons
Antique shows, boat shows, and dog shows have all been held here. It's also played host to numerous concerts, including Frank Sinatra.
The New Haven Armory actually has several connections to African American history.
Beinecke Library/Wikimedia Commons
From 1969-1971, there were several criminal trials in New Haven against members of the Black Panther Party, who had allegedly killed a 19-year-old member in 1969.
The trials resulted in a great deal of civil unrest, and protestors gathered at the New Haven Armory. Several bombs even went off at the nearby Yale ice skating rink. Thankfully, no one was injured during the protests.
Throughout the 1970s, the New Haven Armory hosted a series of Black Expos where various social and political concerns were discussed by members of the African American community.
Google Maps

Sadly, the New Haven Armory has now fallen into disrepair, but there have been recent talks about turning it into a mixed-use development. We can’t wait to see what becomes of this unique and historic property!

For more information about the Connecticut Freedom Trail, check out the official Connecticut Freedom Trail website.

I love New Haven: there’s so much to do there, no matter your interests. Next time you’re looking for a great place to stay in New Haven, CT, check out this colorful Vrbo in East Rock.

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New Haven Armory - Goffe Street Armory, 290 Goffe St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA