The case of Kelo v New London, CT brought a small New England City into the limelight and provided visibility on the effects of eminent domain, defined by Merriam-Webster as, "the right of the government to take property from a private owner for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of its sovereignty over all lands within its jurisdiction". Over 20 years later, weekly gathering still occur within a group of folks who initially were bonded through joint efforts to wade off the City of Connecticut's economic development initiave and the threat of eminent domain. A group of impacted individuals spanning from advocates, petitioners, lawyers, friends, relatives, neighbors, town members and even the former Mayor, till this day, meet regularly. The place, The Washington Street Coffee House, providing a welcoming establishment for thier congregation. A quaint local family owned restaurant in the center of New London hosts weekly get-togethers and a time to reminice and remain close with folks forever cemented over unfortunate events. (Above Standing in Front of the relocated Kelo Home on Franklin St, New London)
On the morning of March 24, 2023 I embarked on a journey to New London, Connecticut. My destination, the Washington Street Coffee House. The objective, to meet with a group of people directly involved with the Kelo Case. I had previously reached out to community residents through research, social media and a network of contacts to gain a better understanding of the history and sequence of events pertaining to the case. What I discovered was ,a wealth of information and transparency from the community encouraging the learning, through images, testimonials, personal experiences and direct interviews. I listened, inquired, heard thier experiences and relived the history, embracing thier stories and connections. (Below at the Washington Street Coffee House, Ronna Suller, Susan Monger, Fred and Sylvia Paxton - of Connecticut College, Heather Grigsby, Amy Hallquist, former New London, CT Mayor during the Kelo Case Lloyd Beachy, and myself)
Following my time at the coffee house, I toured the Fort Trumbull nieghborhood, passing by the original locations of the Dery's home, Kelo House, the VonWinkle residence and the many homes no longer present. I walked down East Street, Goshen, Walbash and over Fort Trumbull (Note: Smith Street is no longer accessible). The area is covered with overgrown weeds and inhabited by stray cats. Completely foreign from residents, it remains a site of fields and rocks. (Below picture depicts the orginal location of the Kelo home described by Heather Grigsby and the "Fort" in Fort Trumbull which would be seen from Susette's front porch prior to 2005).
