www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 25, Number
Thursday, September 28, 2023
A story of heroes
No plans in place Town says no current development plans for property on the Berlin Turnpike, despite a social media post claim
New documentary tells story of Civil War soldiers in all-African American regiment By Mike DeRienzo Special to The Citizen
By Mike DeRienzo Special to The Citizen
By 1864, the Union Army had the Confederates on the run.
There are no current development plans for a currently-vacant property on the Berlin Turnpike, despite what a social media post indicated.
Following defeats in Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the “rebel” army was all but defeated. But it would still take another year before Confederate General Robert E. Lee officially surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House.
Equity Action Team, who spearheaded the documentary. “There has been a lot of discussion in our town and the country as to black lives and black history. This is a story about black Berlin residents that’s part of a larger story of American history.”
That’s according to officials contacted by The Citizen, in response to a post on Facebook on Aug. 12 by the account named “The Newington Scoop.” The post, which generated 30 comments and numerous “shares,” stated that “the owner of 337 Berlin Turnpike in Berlin (corner of Deming Road) has plans to convert the existing building, formerly the Industrial Surplus, into a retail facility.”
The 29th was not the only all-African American regiment to participate in the war. Following unprecedented losses for the first two years of the
The post went on to state the current structure would be redeveloped and that possible tenants could include
See Heroes, A12
See No plans, A11
Yet, if it wasn’t for some Berlin heroes, the war may have lasted even longer.
Members of the 29th Connecticut Regiment.
The tale of the 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment is legendary. When the call for volunteers intitially went out, only a few were expected. Thousands showed up. That included 11 hometown heroes from Berlin.
teered to fight for their country. Over the past year, they have worked to create a documentary about the 29th Connecticut and specifically the local Berlin me.
It’s a story many may not know. That’s something a local group is hoping to change.
Their hard work has paid off, as their short film has recently been nominated for the Best Documentary Short by the Mystic Film Festival.
Meet the Berlin Equity Action Team. Their mission: To inform the world of the story of the 11 African American men from Berlin who bravely volun-
Photo courtesy of the Berlin Civil War Project
“We wanted to create a lasting asset to educate residents,” says Chris Barlow, a driving force behind the Berlin
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