Last updated: July 31, 2017
Place
New Haven Museum
Quick Facts
Location:
114 Whitney Avenue
Significance:
Collections related to the Amistad
Designation:
Historic District
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
The New Haven Museum was founded in 1862 by a group of citizens interested in preserving the history of a community that was experiencing rapid change. The founders immediately began collecting contemporary artifacts, manuscripts, publications and photographs, in addition to material from the Colonial Era. The Museum constructed its present quarters in 1929. Designed by noted architect J. Frederick Kelly, the I-shaped building is one of New Haven's finest examples of the Colonial Revival style.
The New Haven Museum's collections include a number of important items associated with the Amistad Case. Nathaniel Jocelyn's oil portrait of Cinque is the best likeness of the Amistad captives' charismatic leader. In addition, there is a mid-19th-century watercolor of the schooner La Amistad depicting the moment when the United States Navy's brig Washington prepared to take La Amistad into custody. The collection also includes documents and artifacts relating to the case.
This is just one of many places associated with the Amistad event. To learn more about other places, please access the main Visit page of this itinerary.