READING, UNITED STATES

CATO Reading Remembrance Tour

When you think of slavery in the United States, you may recall learning about it in the context of the Civil War and the 19th century. However slavery has a longer history in the Americas, stretching back to the Colonial era. There were enslaved residents in the New England area, including in our town. Join The Coalition of US (CATO) for a historical walking tour about Black and Enslaved residents, and soldiers who lived in Reading during Colonial times and their role in the town's history. The tour, which will take about an hour to complete and cover 1.5 miles, was written and is narrated by local teachers, historians and volunteers. 

The walking tour begins at the Reading Public Library and will make stops at Old South United Methodist Church Yard, Laurel Hill Cemetery, and the Reading Town Common. Each location is significant in the history of Enslaved residents in Reading. Parking is available at the library, the town common, and directly in front or behind the Old South United Methodist Church.

Please visit our tour website at https://sites.google.com/view/reading-remembrance-tour-2021/ for primary source documents and other additional resources!