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On their return to Hartford, CT on November 24th, 1865, the 29th & 30th Connecticut Colored Regiments were met by Governor William Buckingham at Connecticut's Old State House. They were heroes, having been among the first regiments to enter Richmond, VA, the burning capital of the confederacy. The men saw President Abraham Lincoln arrive to tour the devastation. The men were celebrated in New York, but on their way back to Connecticut, they learned that the citizens of Connecticut had rejected an amendment to remove the word "white" from the state's voter qualifications just one month prior. Understanding their disappointment, Governor Buckingham gave a speech of encouragement to the men, celebrating their bravery and asking them to be patient with the citizens of Connecticut. A parade then occurred through the streets of Hartford, the route documented in the Hartford Courant newspaper of the day.
To commemorate the 161st anniversary of this historic event, the Alex Breanne Corporation, in collaboration with Connecticut's Old State House, will host a memorial walk on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9:00am, with the walk commencing at 9:30am.
Participants will retrace the footsteps of the soldiers through downtown Hartford, beginning and ending at Connecticut's Old State House, located at 800 Main Street. The full route covers 3.1 miles (5K), with an optional one-mile route for those who prefer a shorter walk.
Throughout the journey, participants will learn about the historic buildings, landmarks, and events connected to the soldiers' march. A web link will provide access to a live audio tour that participants can listen to on their smartphones using headphones or earbuds. The narration will be coordinated with the walk, offering historical insights as participants encounter significant locations along the route.
If interested, the official shirt and sweatshirt can be purchased at https://alexbreanne.org/store.
This is a free event. Please join us in celebration of this historic event in Connecticut Civil War history.
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Event venue
800 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103-2301, United States
Tickets
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