William Saunders and His World: The History of a Black Merchant Tailor and his Lineage in Hartford

Join us for the first lecture in the 2024 Hartford History Lecture series featuring Dr. Fiona Vernal, of the UConn History Department.

For three generations, the Saunders family operated a successful and innovative tailor business in the city of Hartford, eventually establishing a reputation as Black merchant tailors with deep ties in Hartford’s Black and white communities. Their network stretched from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York to Barbados and France. This talk will explore William Saunders and the significance of his lineage and legacy for understanding Black entrepreneurship, social justice, civic engagement, and political activism in 19th and 20th century Hartford.

The Hartford History Lecture Series is back for 2024. This year, the series is titled "New Hartford Histories". Join us for our first lecture in the series featuring Dr. Fiona Vernal, of the UConn History Department.

The Hartford History Lecture Series is a collaboration between Connecticut State Community College Capital’s Hartford Heritage Project, and the Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House. It is supported by funding through CT Humanities in alignment with the America 250 | CT Commission.

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