Join us in the Garden House on Sunday, May 17th for a special talk by Connecticut State Archeologist Emeritus Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni. 

Venture Smith, born Broteer, was a Connecticut captive born in West Africa in 1729. When he arrived in America as a child, he was forced to work on farms in Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut. Broteer's story is especially compelling: he was able to purchase his freedom along with that of his family; he became a successful businessman; and he narrated his own story, telling of his childhood in Africa, the horrific Middle Passage, his captivity, and freedom. The Broteer Venture Smith Project combines history, genealogy, genetics, and archaeology with hopes of discovering more about his life. In his presentation, Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni tells of Broteer, his life and times, and the DNA project initiated by his descendants. 

Bellantoni serves as the emeritus state archaeologist with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut. He serves as an adjunct associate research professor in the department of anthropology at UConn and resided as former president of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut and the National Association of State Archaeologists.