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*It should also be taken into consideration to first examine the potential to hire local persons to cut expenses.

For example, it would be worthwhile to look into the University of Bridgeport (as well as other Universities in

New York City) to hire a historian to conduct research. There would be additional incentive for the position as

a potential candidate for the position would be working on a historical project in their own area which would

benefit the historical department of that university. An architect may also be hired locally, but the

qualifications of the architect take priority more than the other positions, due to experience needed in

restorations, and preferably prior-house restoration experience from the mid-1800’s. If all travel expenses

were cut due to hiring locally, the total salary cost of the project would be closer to $100,000.

With the $1.6 million estimates on the cost of restorations and much more additional expenses expected

for simply marketing and getting the museum running, $50,000 donation from the CT Trust and the $9,999 for

the continued documentation research is simply not enough. The biggest and most hopeful step that the

Freeman Houses has managed to achieved has been the transfer of ownership of the houses and land to the

Mary and Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community. With that crucial non-profit established and

ownership of the homes safely out of harm’s way of demolition by the city, what remains to be needed is

garnered financial and marketing support. This would come from an aggressive and serious step toward more

attention for the site, and an investment directly toward this purpose. The site reaching the “Top 11 Most

Endangered List” in the U.S. gave notice for a small, though notable percent of the population. Reaching

attention internationally from UNESCO would vastly change the playing field for the future of the Freeman

Houses.

CONCLUSION

On more grounds than one, the Freeman Houses certainly qualify for inclusion as cultural

heritage on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. They possess a testimony to a culture that has since

developed and won its rights which is a unique and powerful story to be valued by the world. Its

history is worth further study and exploration, with the need to tie to into the well-known stories of

that era.

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