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B M & T •••March/April 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 AREA GUIDES time. Every moment in Greater New Haven is an adventure waiting to be dis- covered. Don't miss out on the countless treasures and enriching experiences that await you and your group here. The Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale (affectionately known as "The House") was established in the fall of 1969 after the rise of issues surround- ing race and civil unrest at Yale and throughout the New Haven community. Due to the increased number of Black students and the rising social conscious- ness of the 1960s, Yale students rallied to create a space in which Black stu- dents and members of the community could convene for social and political means. The Goffe Street Special School, later the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Masons, is perhaps the most notable monument to the history of Black people in New Haven. Educational opportunities for African Americans in the nineteenth century were limited. The city's first school for African Americans opened in 1811. Prior to the passage of some municipal legislation in 1869, Black children were excluded from the public schools of the city. However, some classes for Blacks were conducted by private individuals in their homes, most notably by Sally Williams (Wilson) who began teaching in 1854 in her home on Artisan Street in New Haven. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit New Haven - (203) 777-8550 www.visitnewhaven.com • • STAMFORD • • In a city as spirited, lively, and diverse as Stamford, there is always something to do. Whether you're walking the 19 miles of shoreline, drinking and dining at the bars Downtown, or hiking the scenic trails of North Stamford, you'll quickly find that there is never a dull moment in this city. The Stamford Town Center mall boasts 130 shops including J. Crew, H&M, Macy's, Saks off Fifth, and Brooks Brothers. It also features a pedestrian- friendly restaurant row which includes The Capital Grille, Peter Chengs, Plan B Burger Bar, The Cheesecake Factory, and Pieology. There are more than 150 restaurants throughout the city, six major hotels, and 18 movie screens. Stamford has over 40 parks and recre- ational areas, many include access to Long Island Sound. They may feature a marina, tennis courts, softball fields, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, skating rink, picnic areas, fishing, and more. Mill River Park has become a mini Central Park in the heart of Downtown Stamford with various events throughout the year in a beautifully landscaped park. Science and nature lovers can enjoy the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and the Bartlett Arboretum. One of the most anticipated events of the year, Alive@Five is an outdoor sum- mer concert series in Stamford's Columbus Park that brings in big names each year, such as Cee Lo Green, Plain White T's, Third Eye Blind, Sugar Ray, and much more. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Connecticut CSB – (860) 728-6789 www.ctmeetings.org • • HARTFORD • • Hartford is one of America's oldest and most historic cities. This region offers 17 diverse neighborhoods that provide unique meeting spaces and lodging options. This destination can accommodate gatherings such as family reunions, weddings and business retreats. Hosting hundreds of event each year, and the home of dozens of restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters, muse- ums, and other attractions, Hartford is the place to be. Explore the impact of Stowe's 1852 anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism in Hartford and engage with collections that belonged to Stowe and her family. The Hartford Heritage Project centers on the history and people of the Talcott Street Church, Hartford's first Black church and school for Black children, which was located on a site next to CT State Capital from 1826-1954. Since 2018, the HHP has organized a fall lecture series together with local his- torian William Hosley, and more recently with CT's Old State House and UConn History Professor Fiona Vernal as well. Through lively lectures and tours, the series seeks to engage our college and the broader Hartford community with the rich legacy of stories and people that define Hartford's heritage today. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Connecticut CSB – (860) 728-6789 www.ctmeetings.org African American Cultural Center at Yale University photo credit: Visit New Haven