The Thing About Witch Hunts Remembering the Innocent Victims of Connecticut's Witch Trials: Event Recap
Remembering the Innocent Victims of Connecticut’s Witch Trials was a first-of-its-kind tribute held in Hartford, Connecticut on February 1, 2025. This special episode recaps the event, which was a celebration of the recent exoneration of those accused and a remembrance of the victims. It was held at the Old State House, a former seat of the state government, and was attended by community members, descendants, historians, and teachers.
The event featured a variety of activities, including a play, a panel discussion, a remembrance ceremony, and the announcement of a memorial project. The play, "The Last Night", tells the story of the last night that Rebecca Greensmith and Mary Barnes spent in jail. The panel discussion featured Senator Anwar, Representative Garibay, Dr. Ross, Mary Bingham, Tony Griego, and Beth Caruso. The remembrance ceremony was led by Sherry Kuiper, a descendant of Alice Young.
The memorial project is still in the planning stages, but it is hoped that it will be a place where descendants and others can visit and pay their respects. The event also included a field trip to the Ancient Burying Ground, where flowers were laid on memorial bricks that have been placed there for Alice Young, Mary Sanford, and Mary Barnes. The hosts discussed the importance of education and the ongoing fight against witch hunts. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support the memorial fund.
Donate to the Connecticut Witch Trial Victims Memorial Fund
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project
Sign Our Massachusetts Justice Petition