Branford resident to present African-American artifacts at Ansonia Middle School

ANSONIA - The Friends of the Ansonia Library and Ansonia Middle School will present "The African-American Collection" Feb. 24 at the school, 115 Howard Ave.

Jeffrey A. Fletcher is the owner of an expansive collection of African-American artifacts, ranging from slave shackles, documentation where children, men, and women were sold along with property as well as livestock, to the fight for civil rights and the barriers to equality. 

Original games, postcards, and toys promoting stereotypes of African-Americans also are some of the items which will be on display.   

The exhibit is a collection of imagery and items which reflect the decades of turbulent times for African-Americans in the United States during the period of slavery up to the Civil Rights movement, including original pictures, signs, statutes and KKK regalia which are chronicled as being significant in the history of African-Americans.
It will provide everyone an opportunity to experience a powerful visual display of what motivated the trailblazers and pioneers who forged the way for equality as well as freedom for African-Americans today. 

A lifelong Branford resident, Fletcher is one of four children raised by parents who migrated from the South at early ages during the turbulent years of “Jim Crow” and the early Civil Rights era. 

His desire to bring a sad and troubling part of Black American History to the forefront was inspired by his parents, siblings and daughter. He uses the artifacts and memorabilia from his collection to tell his parents’ story as well as the thousands of African Americans who survived the extremes of overt racism and discrimination.

Fletcher will give three, one-hour presentations relating to his collection, at which times the public is invited to attend: at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.

A preview exhibit is on display at the Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St.


This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Director, Ansonia Library.