Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum

Brilliance in the Valley, War-era Southern Student Labor Migration to Connecticut and other Northern Tobacco Farms

In the spring of 2024, the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum unveiled Brilliance in the Valley, a multifaceted community project spotlighting an often-overlooked chapter in agricultural history. The project features a new exhibition detailing the experiences of Southern students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who traveled to Northern farms for summer work as tobacco laborers. This exhibition, rich with historical context, brings to light the significant contributions of these students to the Northern agricultural landscape.

Brilliance in the Valley also includes the collection of oral histories, offering deeper insights into these historical journeys. This effort has significantly expanded the Museum’s archives, creating a valuable resource for future scholars and visitors. Additionally, the Museum has developed a comprehensive curriculum aligned with Connecticut’s public high school Black & Latino social studies standards, providing students and teachers with a unique, inquiry-based learning opportunity.

Key elements of the project include a portable mural by Ellis Echevarria, enriched archival materials, a large-scale community event, an updated museum website, and subscription to Their Story Oral History Collection Platform. Through these initiatives, the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum ensures that the narratives of these student workers are preserved and celebrated, offering a richer understanding of this unique agricultural history.