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 ====== The Primus Project ====== ====== The Primus Project ======
  
-The Primus Project is "an ongoing research endeavor dedicated to a fuller understanding of Trinity College’s history as it relates to slavery, white supremacy, and questions of racial justice." It intends to use this public history research to uncover hidden histories and "forge a more just and inclusive present," particularly for members of the College community. [[https://www.trincoll.edu/president/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/Update-on-JBS-Message-of-Hope-and-Call-to-Act-10-31-20-2.pdf|An administrative document from the President's Office in 2020]] indicated that the project is tasked with writing "a comprehensive history that includes an honest +The Primus Project is "an ongoing research endeavor dedicated to a fuller understanding of Trinity College’s history as it relates to slavery, white supremacy, and questions of racial justice." It intends to use this public history research to uncover hidden histories and "forge a more just and inclusive present," particularly for members of the College community. An administrative document from the President's Office in 2020 indicated that the project is tasked with writing "a comprehensive history that includes an honest telling of any institutional ties to slavery," which will serve to "honor the contributions of people of color in the celebration of the college’s bicentennial in 2023" and to "make recommendations to the board of trustees on building names." 
-telling of any institutional ties to slavery," which will serve to "honor the contributions of +
-people of color in the celebration of the college’s bicentennial in 2023" and to "make recommendations to the board of trustees on building names." +
  
 From the earliest version of the Primus website known to be archived, "the Primus Project aims to steer the college toward Reconstruction—the fulfillment of Trinity’s unrealized potential to educate people equitably, fuel their self-determination, and expand their power to change the world."((The Primus Project website, archival and current versions))  From the earliest version of the Primus website known to be archived, "the Primus Project aims to steer the college toward Reconstruction—the fulfillment of Trinity’s unrealized potential to educate people equitably, fuel their self-determination, and expand their power to change the world."((The Primus Project website, archival and current versions)) 
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 [{{ :primus_logo.png?300|The Primus Project Logo, designed in 2021.}}] [{{ :primus_logo.png?300|The Primus Project Logo, designed in 2021.}}]
  
-The Primus Project began in the fall semester of 2020, in response to the death of George Floyd earlier that year and at the urging of President [[berger-sweeney_joanne|Joanne Berger-Sweeney]] "to address systemic racism" at the College. Original members of the Primus Project were four Trinity faculty members: Davarian Baldwin, Cheryl Greenberg, Christopher Hager, and Scott Gac. The participants briefly expanded to nine individuals, including a member of the [[presidents|President]]'s Office, a member of the Communications Office, a Trinity [[trustees|trustee]], and Dr. Alexander Manevitz (a former visiting faculty member at Trinity). President Berger-Sweeney's [[https://www.trincoll.edu/president/letters-to-the-community/an-update-on-a-message-of-hope-and-a-call-to-act/|"An Update on a Message of Hope and a Call to Act"]] of November 2, 2020, was the first known public announcement of the Primus Project.+The Primus Project began in the fall semester of 2020, in response to the death of George Floyd earlier that year and at the urging of President [[berger-sweeney_joanne|Joanne Berger-Sweeney]] "to address systemic racism" at the College. Original members of the Primus Project were four Trinity faculty members: Davarian Baldwin, Cheryl Greenberg, Christopher Hager, and Scott Gac. The participants briefly expanded to nine individuals, including a member of the [[presidents|President]]'s Office, a member of the Communications Office, a Trinity [[trustees|trustee]], and Dr. Alexander Manevitz (a former visiting faculty member at Trinity). President Berger-Sweeney's "An Update on a Message of Hope and a Call to Act" of November 2, 2020, was the first known public announcement of the Primus Project.
  
-During the spring semester of 2021, the Primus Project drew upon research undertaken by undergraduate students in the American Studies course 406 "Slavery and Trinity" taught by Dr. Scott Gac (Trinity College), as well as research uncovered during previous iterations of the course. Contact with the Tulane University Library was pursued. Outreach efforts were made to confer with the Hartford Heritage Project, [[https://slavery.virginia.edu/universities-studying-slavery/|Universities Studying Slavery]], and the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Abolition, and Resistance at Yale University.+During the spring semester of 2021, the Primus Project drew upon research undertaken by undergraduate students in the American Studies course 406 "Slavery and Trinity" taught by Dr. Scott Gac (Trinity College), as well as research uncovered during previous iterations of the course. Contact with the Tulane University Library was pursued. Outreach efforts were made to confer with the Hartford Heritage Project, Universities Studying Slavery, and the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Abolition, and Resistance at Yale University.
  
-In summer 2021, according to its annual report, the Primus Project "sponsored 10 weeks of intensive summer research" by a graduate student, a recently graduated student, and an undergraduate, who conducted research at the Trinity College Archives at the [[watkinson_library|Watkinson Library]], the [[https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/|Connecticut Museum of Culture and History]] (formerly Connecticut Historical Society), the [[https://ctstatelibrary.org/|Connecticut State Library]], and within digital collections.  +In summer 2021, according to its annual report, the Primus Project "sponsored 10 weeks of intensive summer research" by a graduate student, a recently graduated student, and an undergraduate, who conducted research at the Trinity College Archives at the [[watkinson_library|Watkinson Library]], the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (formerly Connecticut Historical Society), the Connecticut State Library, and within digital collections.  
  
 By fall 2021, the six Committee Members of the Primus Project listed on its website were Davarian Baldwin (Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies), Jederick Estrella '22, Scott Gac (Associate Professor of History and American Studies), Cheryl Greenberg (Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of History), Christopher Hager (Professor of English), and Alexander Manevitz '09 (Department of History, Hamden Hall Country Day School). In early December 2021, the Primus Project designed and distributed several posters in various places around [[summit_campus|campus]].  By fall 2021, the six Committee Members of the Primus Project listed on its website were Davarian Baldwin (Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies), Jederick Estrella '22, Scott Gac (Associate Professor of History and American Studies), Cheryl Greenberg (Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of History), Christopher Hager (Professor of English), and Alexander Manevitz '09 (Department of History, Hamden Hall Country Day School). In early December 2021, the Primus Project designed and distributed several posters in various places around [[summit_campus|campus]]. 
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 The information-sharing sessions were moderated by project Directors and professors Scott Gac and Christopher Hager. Participation numbered around 40 people in each of the two sessions, which were open mainly to members of the Trinity community, though some members of the general public may have attended. The Project's reports were described as "living documents" which are subject to critique and scrutiny, and represent "its research to date." In the discussions, the directors and other members of the Primus Project's governing board stated that they had conducted research at the Epsicopal Archives in Middletown and consulted Trinity founder [[brownell_thomas_church|Bishop Brownell's]] personal correspondence, among other sources. The report(s) do not name individuals who contributed to their authorship—even in all together listing—and instead state "prepared by the Primus Project." The information-sharing sessions were moderated by project Directors and professors Scott Gac and Christopher Hager. Participation numbered around 40 people in each of the two sessions, which were open mainly to members of the Trinity community, though some members of the general public may have attended. The Project's reports were described as "living documents" which are subject to critique and scrutiny, and represent "its research to date." In the discussions, the directors and other members of the Primus Project's governing board stated that they had conducted research at the Epsicopal Archives in Middletown and consulted Trinity founder [[brownell_thomas_church|Bishop Brownell's]] personal correspondence, among other sources. The report(s) do not name individuals who contributed to their authorship—even in all together listing—and instead state "prepared by the Primus Project."
  
-While the discussions were being held, the Primus Project placed several "sandwich boards" briefly along the [[long_walk|Long Walk]] and one at the main entrance to the [[library|Raether Library]], appearing no earlier than 12:15pm. The large signs featured printed posters with information about specific individuals connected to slavery and the College.+While the discussions were being held, the Primus Project placed several "sandwich boards" briefly along the [[long_walk|Long Walk]] and one at the main entrance to the [[library|Raether Library]], appearing no earlier than 12:15 p.m. The large signs featured printed posters with information about specific individuals connected to slavery and the College.
  
-According to those Primus Project members who spoke at the Bicentennial Symposium Day panels, the release of these reports to the public is "Phase One" of the ongoing project, which may include a podcast series.+According to those Primus Project members who spoke at the Bicentennial Symposium Day panels, the release of these reports to the public is "Phase One" of the ongoing project, which also includes a podcast series.
  
 A contact email was added to the Primus Project website in late November 2023.  A contact email was added to the Primus Project website in late November 2023. 
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 [[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/founding-of-washington-college-bicentennial-reports/|Founding of Washington College Bicentennial Reports]] [[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/founding-of-washington-college-bicentennial-reports/|Founding of Washington College Bicentennial Reports]]
  
-Text taken from [[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/|The Primus Project]].+[[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/|The Primus Project]]
  
-[[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/rebecca-primus/|Rebecca Primus]].+[[https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/rebecca-primus/|Rebecca Primus]]
  
-[[https://talbothistory.org/collections-research/black-history/rebecca-primus/|Talbot Historical Society: Rebecca Primus]].+[[https://talbothistory.org/collections-research/black-history/rebecca-primus/|Talbot Historical Society: Rebecca Primus]]
  
-[Eric Stoykovich, Trinity College Archivist], Attendance at "Slavery and Trinity’s Founding" (Dangremond Family Commons, Hallden Hall North, Trinity College), November 14, 2023, 1:30-2:30pm.+[Eric Stoykovich, Trinity College Archivist], Attendance at "Slavery and Trinity’s Founding" (Dangremond Family Commons, Hallden Hall North, Trinity College), November 14, 2023, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
  
-[Amanda Matava, Trinity College Digital Archivist], Attendance at "Slavery and Trinity’s Founding" (Dangremond Family Commons, Hallden Hall North, Trinity College), November 14, 2023, 1:30-2:45pm.+[Amanda Matava, Trinity College Digital Archivist], Attendance at "Slavery and Trinity’s Founding" (Dangremond Family Commons, Hallden Hall North, Trinity College), November 14, 2023, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
  
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20231127170428/https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/contact-us/|The Primus Project - Contact Us, website captured on The Wayback Machine (The Internet Archive), November 27, 2023]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20231127170428/https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/contact-us/|The Primus Project - Contact Us, website captured on The Wayback Machine (The Internet Archive), November 27, 2023]]
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 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174506/https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/committee-members/|The Primus Project - Committee Members, website captured on The Wayback Machine (The Internet Archive), June 9, 2023]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174506/https://www.trincoll.edu/primus-project/committee-members/|The Primus Project - Committee Members, website captured on The Wayback Machine (The Internet Archive), June 9, 2023]]
  
-//Primus Project Newsletter//, Volume 1, May 2023, Trinity College Archives.+Primus Project Newsletter, Volume 1, May 2023, Trinity College Archives.
  
-//[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34269764|The Trinity Reporter]],// Spring 2022, p. 25.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34269764|The Trinity Reporter]], Spring 2022, p. 25.
  
 "The Primus Project AY 2021-22," Trinity College Archives, n.d. "The Primus Project AY 2021-22," Trinity College Archives, n.d.
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 [[https://dsp.domains.trincoll.edu/TrinityAndSlavery/about/|Trinity and Slavery]] (2021). [[https://dsp.domains.trincoll.edu/TrinityAndSlavery/about/|Trinity and Slavery]] (2021).
  
-[[https://www.trincoll.edu/president/letters-to-the-community/an-update-on-a-message-of-hope-and-a-call-to-act/|An Update on A Message of Hope and a Call to Act (November 2, 2020), Joanne Berger-Sweeney President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience]]+"An Update on A Message of Hope and a Call to Act" (November 2, 2020) by Joanne Berger-Sweeney, President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience.
  
 Email Correspondence, Cheryl Greenberg to College Archivist Eric Stoykovich, October 23, 2020, Trinity College Archives. Email Correspondence, Cheryl Greenberg to College Archivist Eric Stoykovich, October 23, 2020, Trinity College Archives.
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 [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/trinslavery/|Trinity and Slavery Project]] (2019). [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/trinslavery/|Trinity and Slavery Project]] (2019).
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/hartford_papers/8/|Beeching, Barbara J., "The Primus Papers: An Introduction to Hartford's Nineteenth Century Black Community" (1995). Hartford Studies Collection: Papers by Students and Faculty. 8]].+[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/hartford_papers/8/|"The Primus Papers: An Introduction to Hartford's Nineteenth Century Black Community"]] (1995) by Barbara J. Beeching. Hartford Studies Collection: Papers by Students and Faculty. 8.
  
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