Events and Programs
Surrounded: America’s First School for Black Girls, 1832
Graphic Novel Author, Illustrator, and Publisher Conversation
Saturday, May 10, 2025
1 pm to 2 pm; Free, Registration Required
Virtual Program on Zoom
Collaborative event between the Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury, the Otis Library in Norwich, the Public Library of New London in New London, and NBM Publishing.
Meet internationally-renown graphic novelist Wilfrid Lupano and illustrator Stephane Fert as they join us remotely from France for a conversation about their most recent English publication. In 2021, Belgian publisher Dargaud Benelux released in French Blanc Autour (which translates to ‘white all around’), a graphic novel that tells the story of Prudence Crandall’s Canterbury School from the perspective of the Black and Brown students. On February 11, 2025, the English edition of the novel, Surrounded: America’s First School for Black Girls, 1832 was released by NBM Publishing and is now available. Terry Nantier, founder and publisher of NBM Publishing, will also join us for the conversation.
Joanie DiMartino, Museum Curator of the Prudence Crandall Museum, will moderate the conversation with Lupano and Fert, and share her thoughts on this creative rendering of the tumultuous history of the school. Registration required. You can register here, or through the Otis Library website. You will receive the Zoom link a few days before the event. Copies of Surrounded can be borrowed from your local library or your on-site purchase of the book will support the Prudence Crandall Museum. Books cannot be shipped at this time.
Old Home Day
Saturday, September 27, 2025
11 am to 4 pm
The Prudence Crandall Museum will be open with free admission for self-guided tours during the Canterbury Historical Society’s annual Canterbury Old Home Day event. All ages are encouraged to participate in a Kindness Stones painting activity—visitors can leave their created Kindness Stones in the Peace Garden, or take them to share with others.
*NOTE: Parking will be at the Helen Baldwin Middle School on Rte. 14. A shuttle to the Canterbury Green will be provided. The museum is across from the Canterbury Green.
National Cat Day
Monday, October 27, 2025
Last day museum is open for the season
Free admission to the Prudence Crandall Museum with donation of unopened cat food (wet or dry, any brand/any flavor), brand-new cat toys and supplies (not accepting litter-related items at this time), or paper towels and garbage bags. All items will be donated to the Paws Cat Shelter, a no-kill shelter in Putnam, CT. In recognition of violence perpetuated against women, children, and animals, the museum honors National Cat Day by collecting food and supplies to keep our feline friends safe. Link to reserve tour tickets coming in 2025.