Mayor Joseph P. Ganim
Bridgeport, CT
-Press Release-
Mayor Ganim Welcomes The Amistad as it Drops Anchor at Captain’s Cove
Students & Residents Encouraged to Board the Amistad for Interactive Educational Programs
Bridgeport, CT –Mayor Ganim welcomes the Amistad as it drops anchor in Captain’s Cove Marina from June 2nd through June 14th. The Amistad education programs will serve Bridgeport Public Schools students and be open for general attendance. Discovering Amistad’s Social and Racial Diversity Education Programs brings a unique curriculum, using the latest social studies framework to connect with a diverse population of students in third grade through high school in Bridgeport. Discovery Amistad and Juneteenth of Fairfield County have contributed funding that supports Bridgeport students to participate in the daily sail programs at no cost. The Amistad will be docked at Captain’s Cove, 1 Botswick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.
“We are thrilled to be able to host such a great historical and educational feature as a visitor’s destination at Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport,” said Mayor Ganim. “Certainly, we also need to highlight the opportunity that has been granted for our children to attend free educational programs aboard the Amistad, and recognize the folks at Juneteenth of Fairfield County and Discovering Amistad who made this possible.”
Daily educational sails on the Amistad have been made available for 15 days in the month of June, with a capacity to serve up to 30 students per program. The organization’s objective is to educate students on the importance of the lessons of the Amistad and, most importantly, to use this turning point in history as a teaching tool in facing our current challenges related to the diverse social issues. Through this program, students will learn about freedom and slavery, oppression and empowerment, and the achievement of justice by racially diverse groups working together.
In-class lessons and sails aboard the Amistad will be held this month and throughout the school year. Teachers are encouraged to contact the organization at info@idiscoveringamistad.org for more information to sign up their classrooms.
Residents and visitors are also encouraged to embark the Amistad to enjoy Bridgeport’s waterways while participating in the historic lessons of the ship. Sails can accommodate 45 guests, ages 7 and older. All guests are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Public sails aboard the Amistad, departing from Captain’s Cove, will be held:
- Friday, June 2 VIP Reception Open to the Public; includes dockside tour
- Sunday, June 4 from 2-5pm (Tickets: $35 for adults; free of charge for under 18)
- Tuesday, June 6, 5:30-8pm; includes light dinner (Tickets: $50 Adults and $20 under 18)
- Friday, June 9, 5:30-8pm; Juneteenth / Amistad Freedom Sail; includes light dinner (Tickets: $50 Adults and $20 under 18)
- Wednesday, June 14, 5:30-8pm; includes light dinner (Tickets: $50 Adults; $20 under 18)
About Discovering Amistad
Discovering Amistad is a new, nonprofit educational organization that was formed at the recommendation of the State of Connecticut and which provides full-year programming on its tall ship, the Amistad, in classrooms and at historic sites of partner organizations. It will enable children and adults in Connecticut and the region to discover the story of the Amistad and its impact on Connecticut and the nation. Importantly, the organization will provide learning opportunities for children and adults to discover the relevance of the Amistad to today’s world.
About the Amistad
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. The role that Connecticut and its citizens played has been told and retold over the years, and in 1999 a new organization was formed and a replica of the Amistad ship was built in Mystic, Connecticut and launched in 2000. For more information on the ship visit our website at www.discoveringamistad.org
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