Second Annual 29th & 30th Connecticut Colored Regiment Memorial Walk
To commemorate the161st anniversary of Connecticut’s 29th and 30th Colored Regiments’return from the Civil War, the AlexBreanne Corporation, in collaboration with Connecticut’s Old State House, will hosta memorial walk on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Opening ceremonies will beginat 9:00 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants will retracethe soldiers’ footsteps through downtown Hartford, beginning and ending atConnecticut’s Old State House, located at 800 Main Street. The full routecovers 3.1 miles (5K), with an optional one-mile route for those who prefer ashorter walk.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
To RSVP, click here: http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=AlexBreanne2026.
On their return to Hartford on November 24th, 1865, GovernorWilliam Buckingham greeted the 29th & 30th Connecticut Colored Regiments atConnecticut’s OldState House. They were heroes, having been among the first regiments toenter Richmond, VA, the burning capital of the Confederacy. The men sawPresident Abraham Lincoln arrive to tour the devastation.
The men werecelebrated in New York, but on their way back to Connecticut, they learned thatConnecticut citizens had rejected an amendment to remove the word “white”from the state’s voter qualifications just one month earlier. Understandingtheir disappointment, Governor Buckingham gave a speech to encourage the men,celebrating their bravery and asking them to be patient with Connecticutcitizens. A parade then occurred through the streets of Hartford, the routedocumented in the Hartford Courantnewspaper of the day.
ABOUT THE WALK
Throughout the journeyaround Downtown Hartford, participants will learn about the historic buildings,landmarks, and events connected to the soldiers’ march. A web link will provide walkers access to a live audio tour to listen to on theirsmartphones using headphones or earbuds. The narration, coordinated withthe walk, will offer historical insights as participants encounter significantlocations along the route. After the walk, a reception will be held atConnecticut’s Old State House.
ABOUT ALEX BREANNE CORPORATION
Alex BreanneCorporation, a non-profit organization founded by John Mills, was established touse research and broader context to identify and address the many reverberatingeffects of chattel slavery. Through research and interrogation, theorganization shares lesser-known stories that represent the life experiences ofthe American enslaved, presented from an African American perspective. The organization focuses on promoting social clarity and informed context about the African-American experience through nonprofit equity advocacy.