From the Classroom to the Community

Bill Sullivan’s American Studies class stepped beyond the classroom and into the town of Suffield on April 14, presenting their research at a public program hosted by the Suffield Historical Society.

The students focused on pivotal moments in Suffield’s Revolutionary-era history, highlighting John Adams’s visit in 1774 and George Washington’s visit in 1775. Drawing on primary sources, they traced Adams’s stop at the Austin Tavern as he returned from the First Continental Congress and Washington’s passage through town on his way to assume command of the Continental Army in Cambridge.

Bringing the past to life, the class shared excerpts from Adams’s diary, including his observation of a local militia training on the town green: “a company of men exercising upon the green, under the command of a green-coated man. A company of very likely stout men.” They connected this account to their deeper research into Suffield’s response to the Lexington Alarm, examining records compiled by historian Hezekiah Spencer Sheldon that document the 111 citizens who answered the call.

Their research also uncovered compelling local stories, including questions surrounding Stephen Negro, a Suffield landowner in 1775, and a possible connection to Cesar Negro, a Black Patriot who went missing in action during the Battle of Germantown.

More than a retelling of historical events, the students explored what these moments reveal about Suffield on the brink of revolution—offering new insights even to longtime residents. The presentation also highlighted the class’s collaboration with local organizations through Suffield250, a community-wide initiative leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

In addition to their research, students shared updates on their partnerships with local historical groups and introduced a new Suffield history-focused Instagram account aimed at supporting community engagement and collaboration. The program concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, as students and community members exchanged ideas and reflected on Suffield’s place in the nation’s founding story.