President's Update

As the nation approaches the apex of its Semiquincentennial, it is vital for all of us to remember the myriad communities responsible for the rich tapestry that is the United States. For the past several years the Association for the Study of Connecticut History (ASCH) has championed the importance of sharing the too-often forgotten stories and experiences within the broader narrative of both United States and Connecticut history. Through our conferences and symposia (in person and online), the significance of women's suffrage, Black, Indigenous, and Latino histories, and the many ways educators and museum professionals continue the difficult yet rewarding and courageous work of presenting accurate history, I can report with pride that ASCH will continue its role in these essential conversations.In partnership with Connecticut Explored, the Center for Connecticut Studies, and the Department of History at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), ASCH assisted in organizing “Present From the Start: People of Color in Connecticut's Revolutionary Era, 1765–1836” at ECSU on September 20, 2025. Conference participants heard from keynote speaker Dr. Catherine Johnson Adams (SUNY Geneseo) about important Black female voices from the colonial and Revolutionary era in New England. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from experts on American slavery and abolition, religious and educational experiences of Black Americans, the importance of maritime history, and the challenges and resilience of Indigenous communities during the Revolutionary era. Without the assistance of the panel moderators, presenters, and ECSU student workers, this conference would not have been possible. Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Balcerski, Dr. Stacey Close, and Dr. Katherine Hermes for their organizational prowess and to all attendees who showed excitement and interest in these essential topics.In keeping with the spirit of joint ventures and America 250, ASCH will sponsor a panel at the upcoming “CT 1776: A Revolutionary Event” hosted by Central Connecticut State University on March 20–21, 2026. The ASCH panel will explore resources available to educators linked to America 250, ways in which schools are exploring America 250, the history of a Nathan Hale statue in New London, and the approach taken by Connecticut History Review in its exploration of America 250 in its spring issue “1776 in Connecticut.” For more information, including registration, see https://www.ccsu.edu/event/ct-1776-revolutionary-event. ASCH will also post information about this conference (and other updates) on its website—https://asch-cthistory.org/. We look forward to seeing new and returning members at this conference!In the Spring 2025 issue of Connecticut History Review, information about a book club partnership with the New England History Teachers Association (NEHTA) was announced. To make this material available to a wider audience, ASCH and NEHTA decided to transition to the podcast format. Past ASCH presidents Steve Armstrong and Allison Norrie are spearheading this new and exciting initiative to foster interest in discussions and scholarship linked to America 250. Special thanks to the following individuals who have agreed to share their expertise in the months ahead: Charlie Newhall (St. John's Preparatory School – Danvers, MA), Robert Naeher (Avon Old Farms School), Linda Morse (NEHTA), Jeffrey O'Leary (Mitchell College), and Allison Norrie (Fairfield Warde High School). Podcasts will be shared on the ASCH website as these become available.It is with great pleasure that ASCH welcomed last fall two new board directors—Natalie Belanger (Connecticut Museum of History and Culture) as Vice President and Robert Naeher (Avon Old Farms School) as Secretary. We are fortunate to have the expertise and enthusiasm of these dedicated professionals. The sustained commitment of the ASCH board through their actions to champion Connecticut history continues to inspire me. I would also like to thank our immediate past president Allison Norrie as she completed her term and remains persistent in fostering this association's mission. The excellent and impressive stewardship of Dr. Thomas Balcerski as editor of Connecticut History Review demonstrates that interest in our state's history remains strong.As I continue in my first year as ASCH president, I encourage all members to share your thoughts about the organization and to help us spread the word about ASCH and its work!