Talking About Preservation: On Site at the Mary & Eliza Freeman Houses

Join us on Saturday, June 28th for Talking About Preservation ON Site starting at 11:00AM. Maisa Tisdale, President/CEO of the Mary and Eliza Freeman Center will talk about the history of Little Liberia and the Freeman Center’s mission to restore and rehabilitate the last remaining houses of Little Liberia, an early 19th century seafaring community of free people of color. Of the three dozen or so structures that comprised Little Liberia, only the Freeman Houses survive on original foundations. Mary Freeman (1815–1883) and Eliza Freeman (1805- 1862) were accomplished businesswomen. When Mary Freeman died, the only Bridgeport resident of greater wealth was P.T. Barnum. Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund wrote in 2008, “Although these houses may be seen as simplistic architectural forms—wood frame structures, they are the last extant examples remaining from a community, Little Liberia, circa 1822, and are the oldest houses built by African Americans in the State of Connecticut. These buildings must be considered irreplaceable.” This event will be held at the Mary and Eliza Freeman Center Gallery at 1135 Main Street in downtown Bridgeport. Note: Metered on street parking is available. Beware of Google Maps, it sometimes sends people to East Main Street, in a different neighborhood. If that happens, reroute to 25 Elm Street.

Please register here: https://preservationct.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=4729