Welcome,
In 2009 a team of Simsbury High School students researched and created a nationally acclaimed video documentary of the two summers that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent working in the Simsbury tobacco fields. They learned how instrumental Dr. King's time in Simsbury was in shaping his personal philosophies and in forming the civil rights leader’s decision to become a minister. The documentary revealed how visits to Simsbury opened the young King's eyes for the first time to a desegregated world to which he was not accustomed. He saw a land of promise, not a world of segregation.
In 2011 the continuously renewing group of students, embarked upon a project to raise $120,000 to create a permanent memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the impact that his time in our community had on his life. The Memorial will be constructed on the grounds of the Simsbury Free Library, in the heart of the town. It will be an educational exhibit which will include five glass panels. The first panel represents Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s family history, the second, his journey to Simsbury, the third/center describes his time in Simsbury and why it was so important to his life after he left. The fourth panel describes his leaving, returning home to segregation. The final panel describes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life and his legacy. The glass was used not only as a face for text, but also a way to shape the space within the memorial. It also, symbolize that his words and teachings are not meant to be bound by walls but to be open and available to all. The design of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial incorporates elements that can convey what was found in the message of the documentary.
The Simsbury Free Library (SFL)is proud to sponsor the Martin Luther King, Jr. in Connecticut Memorial Project. SFL, founded in 1874, seeks to help patrons connect with the past and to learn from and be inspired by those who have gone before them, which is why the goals of this student project have a direct connection with celebrating the importance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We feel the ideals of the Simsbury Free Library and the Simsbury Historical society can be beneficial in teaching the message of Dr. King.
The project has already received a generous donation from Cigna Insurance Corporation in the amount of $20,000, and one from Chubb Specialty Insurance for $10,000, along with many smaller donations from residents, local and state businesses and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the design renderings of the project were an in-kind contribution, generously created by a local architect, Jay WIllerup.
The students believe that the memorial will benefit our community and our state in many ways, including:
The project is well underway! We are asking for your support at this time to help us construct a memorial in honor of this historic chapter of our local history. This memorial will serve as a source of pride for our community and our state. It is our intention to publicly acknowledge all of our contributors once we have reached our fundraising goal. Tax-deductible donations can be made securely online by clicking the “Donate” link on this website, or checks may be mailed to the Simsbury Free Library at the following address:
Simsbury Free Library
749 Hopmeadow Street
P.O. Box 484
Simsbury, CT, 06070
Checks should be made out to the Simsbury Free Library, noting “F.B.O. MLK Memorial” in the memo line of the check. We thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Sincerely,
The MLK in Connecticut Memorial Committee
We hope that we can count on you to share in our pride as a community!
In 2009 a team of Simsbury High School students researched and created a nationally acclaimed video documentary of the two summers that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent working in the Simsbury tobacco fields. They learned how instrumental Dr. King's time in Simsbury was in shaping his personal philosophies and in forming the civil rights leader’s decision to become a minister. The documentary revealed how visits to Simsbury opened the young King's eyes for the first time to a desegregated world to which he was not accustomed. He saw a land of promise, not a world of segregation.
In 2011 the continuously renewing group of students, embarked upon a project to raise $120,000 to create a permanent memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the impact that his time in our community had on his life. The Memorial will be constructed on the grounds of the Simsbury Free Library, in the heart of the town. It will be an educational exhibit which will include five glass panels. The first panel represents Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s family history, the second, his journey to Simsbury, the third/center describes his time in Simsbury and why it was so important to his life after he left. The fourth panel describes his leaving, returning home to segregation. The final panel describes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life and his legacy. The glass was used not only as a face for text, but also a way to shape the space within the memorial. It also, symbolize that his words and teachings are not meant to be bound by walls but to be open and available to all. The design of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial incorporates elements that can convey what was found in the message of the documentary.
The Simsbury Free Library (SFL)is proud to sponsor the Martin Luther King, Jr. in Connecticut Memorial Project. SFL, founded in 1874, seeks to help patrons connect with the past and to learn from and be inspired by those who have gone before them, which is why the goals of this student project have a direct connection with celebrating the importance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We feel the ideals of the Simsbury Free Library and the Simsbury Historical society can be beneficial in teaching the message of Dr. King.
The project has already received a generous donation from Cigna Insurance Corporation in the amount of $20,000, and one from Chubb Specialty Insurance for $10,000, along with many smaller donations from residents, local and state businesses and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the design renderings of the project were an in-kind contribution, generously created by a local architect, Jay WIllerup.
The students believe that the memorial will benefit our community and our state in many ways, including:
- Calling attention to the dignity and courage of Martin Luther King, Jr, through the memorial's location in the heart of Simsbury.
- Exposing both residents and visitors to the powerful story of MLK Jr.’s time in Connecticut and Simsbury's role in this story.
- Ensuring that all state residents and students learn the story of MLK in Connecticut.
- Joining the Connecticut Freedom Trail to put Simsbury on the map of Connecticut’s historic journey furthering civil rights and human dignity.
- Serving as a center or “hub” for the Town of Simsbury's annual celebration of the story of MLK Jr. in Connecticut and his message of peace and hope.
- Inspiring young members of the community and the state by demonstrating that the deeds of great men and women often begin as early as high school.
- Reflecting community pride in Simsbury and the leadership of the town’s youth.
- Increasing the visibility of Simsbury in the state, and Connecticut in the nation as the site of a Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, thereby benefiting residents, local and state businesses, and the local and state economy through visitors the memorial will attract.
- Serving to educate and inspire all who visit the memorial in celebration of Dr. King's life, including school age children throughout the state who will visit the memorial's educational exhibits on field trips.
The project is well underway! We are asking for your support at this time to help us construct a memorial in honor of this historic chapter of our local history. This memorial will serve as a source of pride for our community and our state. It is our intention to publicly acknowledge all of our contributors once we have reached our fundraising goal. Tax-deductible donations can be made securely online by clicking the “Donate” link on this website, or checks may be mailed to the Simsbury Free Library at the following address:
Simsbury Free Library
749 Hopmeadow Street
P.O. Box 484
Simsbury, CT, 06070
Checks should be made out to the Simsbury Free Library, noting “F.B.O. MLK Memorial” in the memo line of the check. We thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Sincerely,
The MLK in Connecticut Memorial Committee
We hope that we can count on you to share in our pride as a community!
