Prudence Crandall, School

Title

Prudence Crandall, School

Biographical Text

White, federal style, 14-room house.
Crandall opened the Canterbury Female Boarding School in 1833 and educated free Black children from across the country. Later that year a “Black Law” was passed, making it illegal to educate out-of-state Black children without town approval and led to Crandall being arrested.The school was forced to close in September of 1834 due to a mob attack. Today, the building is a museum telling the story of Crandall, providing educational tours to visitors and school groups. It is a National Historic Landmark, an Archaeological Preserve, and an International Site of Conscience.
In 1969, the building was bought by the state of Connecticut for $70,000. It was not until 1984 that the building officially became a museum, focusing on the life and mission of Crandall.

Text

[On sign in front of building]
IN THIS HOUSE
PRUDENCE CRANDALL
Held a School
For Negro Girls
1833

Date Created

1805

Date Modified

1984

Type

English Museum

English Building

Bibliographic Citation

Prudence Crandall Museum, The Town of Canterbury Connecticut

Prudence Crandall Home, Connecticut Freedom Trail

Honoring a Teacher Who Fought for Equality, The New York Times

Project Researcher

Bysterbusch, Hailey