DRHS Celebrates Black History Month

by | Feb 17, 2022 | News, Uncategorized

Deep River Historical Society celebrates Black History Month by remembering its citizens who contributed so much to their community. 

Billy Winter’s story touched and inspired so many lives here and throughout the state. Winter Avenue is named for him and the home he built still stands on this street. 

The Mitchell family were emancipated slaves who arrived in Deep River about 1869. Billy helped Charlie find work Charlie at the Pratt, Read factory. Charlie’s son Benjamin Franklin Mitchell was the first African American to graduate from Deep River High School in 1900. When Charlie died the flags at the Pratt Read Co were lowered to half-mast on the day of his funeral as he was such a well-respected man in his community. Mitchell Lane is named after his family. 

Henry M. Scudder Jr.of Deep River, CT was the first African American from CT to join the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. He was the son of Henry Scudder, a WW I Army veteran. Members of the Scudder family still reside in Deep Rivier.

For more about the lives of Billy and the Michell, family check out the DRHS publication Billy Winters. Copies are available at the DR Library, Amazon, and the Stone House. 

You May Also Like…

The Victorian Lady: Civil War Era

The Victorian Lady: Civil War Era

The Victorian Lady: Civil War Era Join us on NOVEMBER 8, 7:00 - 8:00 pm for the Victorian Lady: Civil War Era at the Deep River Historical Society! Stage actress, Kandie Carle, combines her love of history and years of research and experience as a performer to create...

read more
The Life of General Seth Overton

The Life of General Seth Overton

"The Life of General Seth Overton Please join us Oct. 23, 7:00pm, Deep Ríver Historical Society Maritime Historian Joseph Morneault The Life of General Seth Overton, A Patriot of the Revolution - By Joseph N. R. Morneault Merchant Master, Shipwright, Privateer,...

read more
Amazing Tales CT

Amazing Tales CT

 Amazing Tales Connecticut – XYZ Tombstone, Deep River The name on his gravestone is XYZ. He was shot to death during a bank robbery in Deep River in 1899. No one knows for certain who he was. The one person who might know was the mysterious woman, dressed in black,...

read more