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All the United States Connecticut New Haven Statue of "King" William Lanson
AO Edited

Statue of "King" William Lanson

This statue honors a pillar of the early New Haven Black community.

New Haven, Connecticut

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Statue of William Lanson and Plaque.   PatTheGreat / Atlas Obscura User
Statue of William Lanson and Plaque.   PatTheGreat / Atlas Obscura User
Statue of William Lanson   PatTheGreat / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque next to the statue.   PatTheGreat / Atlas Obscura User
  teddrake / Atlas Obscura User
  Calvin the Courageous / Atlas Obscura User
  Calvin the Courageous / Atlas Obscura User
On a sunny October day   Ragnar of Ballard / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Born free around 1785, William Lanson moved along with his family to New Haven in 1803. By 1810, when the city wanted to expand its Long Wharf to accommodate larger ships, Lanson was the only contractor capable of completing the herculean task. His success in that project led to other ventures including a livery stable, store, and hotel.

In 1825, he was contracted to help build the harbor basin for the new Farmington Canal. Lanson's business acumen allowed him to amass a fortune of at least $20,000, and for his community engagement, he was elected "Black Governor" of New Haven, a title for community leaders throughout New England at that time.

However, following the rebellion of Black slaves led by Nat Turner in 1831, public support in the north for the Black community began to sour. Successful and educated Black Americans were especially targeted. Lanson was accused by one paper of being in charge of an "African college" of vice. This lead to white mobs attacking Lanson's properties and other Black businesses, along with constant legal proceedings against the city's most famous Black businessman. Lanson died in 1851 nearly penniless.

To commemorate such a pivotal figure in New Haven's history, the city dedicated a statue to him in September 2020, alongside the Farmington Canal which he helped build. The project was originally spurred on by the Amistad Committee, and sculpted by Dana King. No known images of Lanson survived, so King based her image on the faces of 19th-century West African men. The statue is meant to convey Lanson as powerful and wealthy, with a clenched fist signifying Black liberation.

Related Tags

Black History African American History & Culture Statues

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The statue is outside and accessible year-round. It's alongside the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, near the Grove St. Cemetery where Lock St. meets Canal St.

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PatTheGreat

Edited By

teddrake, Ragnar of Ballard, Calvin the Courageous

  • teddrake
  • Ragnar of Ballard
  • Calvin the Courageous

Published

May 10, 2021

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Sources
  • https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2020/09/28/city-unveils-statue-of-william-lanson-black-engineer-and-activist/
  • https://connecticuthistory.org/successes-and-struggles-of-new-haven-entrepreneur-william-lanson/
  • https://www.neh.gov/article/william-lanson-shaped-new-haven
Statue of "King" William Lanson
8 Canal St
New Haven, Connecticut, 06511
United States
41.31529, -72.926794
Get Directions

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