The Remarkable Bookcycle hits the Beach
The Remarkable Bookcycle, modeled after Westport’s famous Remarkable Book Shop, allows even the youngest Westporters to have their own memory of a bright pink shop filled with good books as the mobile free library allows all who pass by to donate or grab a book to enjoy. The bookcycle travels around the community to help connect readers with their perfect match, and is now located on Soundview Drive. The Remarkable Book Shop closed it’s Main Street doors in 1994 with an outpouring of love and sadness by the thousands who cherished the store and its owners, both Westport treasures. WestportLocal.com photo
Cribari Bridge Opens as Saugatuck Tradition Continues
The William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge over the Saugatuck River opened this evening for boat traffic, a tradition for the historical swing bridge spanning over 100 years. Constructed in 1884 and renovated in 1993 - the bridge originally was operated manually, with a large bar being pushed by hand to rotate the bridge on its track. Now powered by a motor, the operation requires State Department of Transportation personnel to man the bridge and operate the motor - which can open and close the bridge in about five minutes as boat traffic passes alongside it. Maintenance has kept the bridge working efficiently, though in moments when the motor failed - the original manual operation still can be seen observed from the riverbank. Despite its age, the bridge opens up throughout the summer months when high tides force up-river boats to request passage, sometimes several times each week. Click here for more information on the Route 136 bridge. WestportLocal.com photo
Connecticut’s Black Civil War Regiments Were Part of Juneteenth
The 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Beaufort, South Carolina. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs DivisionDistinguished in their service, the 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers soldiered on in spite of segregation and state-wide prejudice.
By: Westport Museum for History & Culture
29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Beaufort, South Carolina. Photo/Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs DivisionConnecticut is intricately tied up in the history of Juneteenth, the (now) Federal holiday commemorating the final emancipation of enslaved African-Americans at the end of the Civil war on June 19th, 1865. The 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment alongside their compatriots from the CT 31st Colored Infantry Regiments were sent to enforce the emancipation of enslaved people and oversee the peaceful transition of power from the Confederacy. The two units, who had seen action throughout the war, arrived in Texas on June 10th and remained until they were mustered out of service in November of 1865.
The heroic service of these soldiers continued despite the pro-slavery stance in Connecticut where towns like Westport had long depended on the local enslavement of native people and African Americans for economic prosperity until 1848. After enslavement ended in the state, Connecticut manufacturers and insurance agents continued to profit from southern slave plantations which bought, clothing, grain, shoes, and insurance policies for and on enslaved people. Connecticut willingly complied with the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 which compelled states to send self-emancipated enslaved person back to their enslavers in the South even if captured in free territory.
In the early days of the war, free African American Connecticut men were not allowed to serve, just as they were not in the beginning of the American Revolution. As with the War for Independence, desperation for conscripts, eased the restriction and eighty percent of all eligible Black men in Connecticut enlisted and fought on behalf of the union. The town of Westport, and others, put up a bond or bonus for enlistment to lure local Euro-Americans like Benjamin Toquet into joining the fight. His letters home tell a story of local views on slavery, African-Americans and the war effort.
After the Civil War, the US Government did not allow African American veterans to form National Guard Units. In New Haven, this led to the independent formation of a military preparedness unit called the Wilkins Guard, named after the first Black Man to enlist in the Connecticut Civil War regiments. The Army’s lack of preparedness at the start of World War I, meant that “colored” guardsmen had to be taken seriously and the 1st Separate Company of the Connecticut National Guard. Was formed. The unit was called up for World War I service in the summer of 1917 and was combined with the 372nd Regiment, U.S. Army and 371st infantry—two other “colored” units. Together, they were among the only units prepared for the war.
Image of Soldiers Memorial, Company B, 29th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. Photo/State Archives, Connecticut State LibraryTo maintain standards of American segregation, the US Army advised French allies in World War I that French and African American officers should not “fraternize” in accordance with social standards in the United States. The French declined to comply and commanding general Mariano Goybet later formally commended the 372nd unit for its exemplary valor at the Battle of Champagne.
Learn more with Westport Museum’s Juneteenth Tuesday Treasure video, here or join the Museum’s Destination Westport: Hidden History, Black Stories walking tour, available throughout the summer.