New London in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
73 Hempstead Street
Black Heritage Trail
| | City of New London | |
One of five houses built and sold at cost by abolitionist Savillion Haley to free Blacks in the 1840s, 73 Hempstead Street housed generations of New London's Black community leaders. It was first purchased by John Parkhurst, whose wife Lavinia was the sister of abolitionist David Ruggles. Later owners included the nationally renowned organist and music teacher William Herbert Bush and Sarah (Sadie) Dillon Harrison, secretary of New London's United Negro Welfare Council. Harrison hosted W.E.B. Dubois at 73 Hempsteadthen known as The Hempstead Cottagein 1929. In 1930, she and Edwin Henry Hackley published the first guide for Black motorists, "Hackley & Harrison's Hotel and Apartment Guide for Colored Travelers." The Hempstead Cottage was listed in "The Negro Motorist Green Book" from 1938 to 1950.
73 Hempstead was also the childhood home of former New London NAACP President Linwood Bland, Jr. and of Sara Chaney, who broke the color barrier in New London's banking industry.
Erected by City of New London.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 41° 21.277′ N, 72° 6.218′ W. Marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Haley Houses & Racial Diversity (within shouting distance of this marker); 66 Hempstead Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Shiloh Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); State of Connecticut Superior Court (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Industry (about 500 feet away); Stephen Hempstead (about 700 feet away); Adam Jackson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hempsted Houses (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New London.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 440 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
