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A look at the Connecticut Public series ‘Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery’

When people think of slavery in the U.S., many think of the South. But slavery happened in the North. Thousands of people were enslaved in Connecticut, which was the last New England state to end slavery — just 13 years before the Civil War began.

It’s history many of us didn’t learn in school.

Connecticut Public’s journalists wanted to explore this hidden history: What happened, why it happened and why it matters today. It led to nine months of meticulous research, reporting and interviews with dozens of people, which resulted in our series, “Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery.”

We offered our audience a multi-platform history lesson: radio storytelling, a podcast, a digital series, a television special, in-depth videos, pictures, social media elements and a community conversation at a local museum.

Here’s a look at the array of storytelling that is part of “Unforgotten."

Audio: 30-minute version

Audio: Complete version

Digital project: Landing page

Unforgotten series

Digital project: Five chapters

Each chapter features a radio feature, video and digital story.

Chapter 1: Think slavery wasn't in the North? Think again. Slavery has roots in Connecticut dating to 1600s

Chapter 2: ‘This is my country': A family learns their ancestors were enslaved in Connecticut

Chapter 3: An enslaved man told his story. Descendants are determined to keep Venture Smith's story alive

Chapter 4: A once-enslaved man’s music was hidden for centuries. Go on a journey to rediscover his melodies

Chapter 5: As CT learns more about its ties to slavery, students shape efforts to ensure the stories live on

About the series

About the series: Why we're reporting on Connecticut's history of slavery

Videos via YouTube playlist
We produced five videos for each story in the series. They were also featured in a 60-minute television documentary.

Podcast

Here's where you can listen to all five episodes of our "Unforgotten" podcast.

Community Conversation

Social media: Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ctpublic/reel/C8ZzkgXo5lT/

https://www.instagram.com/ctpublic/reel/C6Jzh7nxHlz/

https://www.instagram.com/ctpublic/reel/C4Dm1R9JOqs/

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.