Downtown in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Prudence Crandall

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 19, 2011

1. Prudence Crandall Marker

Inscription. Prudence Crandall
Where You Are Standing
on May 24, 1833 The Connecticut General Assembly passes the Black Law expressly forbidding Prudence Crandall from recruiting African-American women for her school in Canterbury. Prudence refuses to obey the Black Law and is arrested and jailed. Her case is taken up by the Abolition Movement to attract nationwide attention to the injustices of slavery and prejudice. After almost two years of legal struggles and harassment of her students, Prudence's conviction is overturned by the Connecticut Supreme Court meeting in this place, and in 1838 the Black Law is repealed here. Even so, Prudence is forced to close her school for fear of her student's safety. Towards the end of her life, the General Assembly meeting here awards Prudence a pension to compensate her for the injustices done to her.

Prudence Crandall sculpture by Randy Nelson, 1996
Made possible by a grant from The Hartford Courant Foundation

Erected 1996.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1833.

Location. 41° 45.954′ N, 72° 40.375′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut

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. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Central Row and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Central Row. Located in front of Connecticut's Old State House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Main Street, Hartford CT 06103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley

and in the Knowledge Corridor.

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 Hartford County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marquis de La Fayette (here, next to this marker); Washington – Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (a few steps from this marker); The First Meeting of Washington and Rochambeau (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor's Foot Guard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Governor's Foot Guard (within shouting distance of this marker); World's First Pay Telephone (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette's Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Old State House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Prudence Crandell. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 3, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Prudence Crandall (1803-1890). National Women's History Museum entry (Submitted on June 26, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 19, 2011

2. Prudence Crandall Marker

Steps to Connecticut's Old State House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 19, 2011

3. Steps to Connecticut's Old State House

The Prudence Crandall marker is to the right of the steps.

Prudence Crandall Statue and Student "Gabriel Koren" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2012

4. Prudence Crandall Statue and Student "Gabriel Koren"

Statues can be seen on 1st floor of the Connecticut Capitol Building.

Prudence Crandall Plaque inside Capitol Building near Statues. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2012

5. Prudence Crandall Plaque inside Capitol Building near Statues.

Prudence Crandall 1803-1890 Connecticut State Heroine Prudence Crandall was educated at a society of friends school in Plainfield, Connecticut, after which she established her own private academy for girls at Canterbury. The school was a great success until she admitted an African-American girl which made local people furious. A committed Quaker, Prudence refused to change her policy of educating black and white students together and parents began taking their children away from the school. As a result, on April 1, 1933 with the support of William Lloyd Garrison and the Anti-slavery society, she founded a school for "Young" Ladies and Misses of Color". The school was forced to close after being harassed and attacked by a mob.

Prudence Crandall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connecticut History, Unknown

6. Prudence Crandall

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,311 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 4, 5. submitted on October 4, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6. submitted on November 3, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.