In commemoration of Juneteenth, the Waterford Public Library is pleased to present John Mill’s illustrated lecture: Connecticut, Color and the Civil War.

The Militia Act of 1862 made it legal for African American men to enlist in state militias, ultimately leading to the creation of Connecticut’s 29th and 30th Colored Infantry Regiments. Join John Mills as he delves into the lives and experiences of some of the men who enlisted in Connecticut's Colored Regiments during the Civil War, what drove them to enlist and the perspective of Connecticut at the time. John will also discuss his research into past-enslaved individuals in Connecticut, highlighting their experiences and his work to acknowledge them.

John Mills is a trained Genealogist, Independent Scholar, descendant of the enslaved and founder of the Alex Breanne Corporation, a Connecticut-based non-profit. His organization focuses on promoting social Clarity and informed Context regarding the African-American experience through non-profit equity advocacy.

Registration, through the library’s event calendar, is recommended for this program. This lecture is free and open to the public.