Lunch and Learn: Slavery, Sin, and Capital Punishment in Eighteenth-Century Connecticut (Virtual Presentation)

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History presents a virtual Lunch and Learn program titled Slavery, Sin, and Capital Punishment in Eighteenth-Century Connecticut on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 12 pm to 1 pm. This free online talk features Arrannè Rispoli, a New England Research Fellowship Consortium grantee and Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, who will examine the intersection of law, religion, and race in colonial Connecticut.

Rispoli explores how early New England communities understood criminal responsibility within the framework of Mosaic law and how these ideas were further complicated when enslaved Africans were accused of crimes. Using Connecticut as a case study, he analyzes how the legal concept of mens rea—the precursor to modern notions of criminal intent—enabled courts to prosecute enslaved individuals without challenging the institution of slavery itself. This discussion highlights how early legal practices contributed to the racialized depictions of criminality that persist today.

This virtual presentation is free and open to the public, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Questions may be directed to Jen Busa, Public Programs Coordinator, at jbusa@connecticutmuseum.org.

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is located at 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut.