Footnote #4
The museum staff debated how and where to
address slavery in the exhibition and struggled to answer two questions; first,
“should we try to address slavery” and second, “if we do address slavery, where
in the exhibition should we include it?” Despite America’s difficult history with
slavery, they decided it should be included because it’s an important part of
Fairfield’s history in the 18th century. Presenting this information
helps us to understand that slavery in Connecticut existed. This topic is
placed in the American Revolution section because the Museum’s collections
include many slave-related documents from this time period. It’s also important
to understand the long history of slavery in America. Important issues of
freedom and equality were being debated right at the birth of our nation.