🪶 Barkhamsted Light House Village: A True American Story

Posted on November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 by Coni Dubois

I have decided to write a children’s book—because some stories are too important to wait until we’re grown to hear them. This one has lived in my heart for years, passed down through generations, whispered in family stories, and rooted in the soil of a forgotten village that shaped who I am.

Now FREE to Read Online—Because This History Belongs to All of Us.

Some stories are too important to keep behind closed doors.

Barkhamsted Light House Village: A True American Story is one of those stories—a legacy of resilience, erasure, and reclamation that shaped my family, and echoes through the roots of this country.

That’s why I’ve made the full book available to read online, free of charge. Because this isn’t just my history. It’s ours.

🌿 What Is the Barkhamsted Light House Village?

Hidden deep in the woods of Connecticut, the Barkhamsted Light House Village was home to a multiracial, multicultural community of Native, African, and European descent.

These families—Chagum (Chaugum/Chaugham), Barber, Freeman, Wilson, and others—lived together in defiance of the rigid racial and social boundaries of their time.

They were labeled “outcasts.” But they were builders, farmers, protectors, and storytellers. They were my ancestors.

📖 Why I Wrote This Book

As a genealogist and historical researcher, I’ve spent decades tracing the truth of my lineage. What I found in the Light House Village wasn’t just a forgotten settlement—it was a foundation. A place where dignity, identity, and community thrived despite systemic erasure. But their story had been distorted, dismissed, or buried.

So I wrote this book to set the record straight—not just for my family, but for every family whose truth has been silenced.This is a true American story. And it deserves to be known.

💻 Read It Now, Share It Freely

You can read the full book online, right now, for free:

👉 https://bit.ly/4oRdUDw

Whether you’re a descendant, a history lover, or someone seeking deeper understanding of America’s hidden past, I invite you to explore this story—and share it. Because healing begins with truth. And truth belongs to everyone.

🔍 What You’ll Discover – Meticulous research drawn from land deeds, court records, oral traditions, and archaeology – Personal reflections on legacy, identity, and reclamation – Illustrations that bring the village to life – A call to action to honor erased histories and uplift living descendants.

💔 Why It Still Matters

In a time when history is contested and truth is politicized, this story reminds us: the past is not gone. It lives in us. And we have a responsibility to carry it forward with clarity, compassion, and courage.

The Barkhamsted Light House Village may have been erased from maps—but not from memory. And now, through this book, it stands again.

🌿 In honor of those who came before, and for those still finding their way— To my ancestors: I see you.

📌 A Note About Access

At this time, Barkhamsted Light House Village: A True American Story is available to read online only. I haven’t yet figured out how to make personal copies available for purchase—and truthfully, this isn’t about money for me. It’s about truth. Legacy. And love.

I wrote this book to honor my ancestors and share their story freely with anyone who needs it. When the time comes to offer printed copies, I’ll make sure they’re accessible to all. Until then, I invite you to read, reflect, and share the online version with anyone who might find healing or connection in its pages.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.

🪶 Coni Dubois

Descendant of the Light House Village – Keeper of Stories

Genealogist • Author • Legacy Advocate

100th Anniversary of People’s State Forest Oct 6th, 2024

Posted on October 6, 2024October 7, 2024 by Coni Dubois

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of People’s State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut is home to three of the state’s designated State Archaeological Preserves. Ken Feder directed the excavation of two: the metaphorically named Lighthouse community and the 2,850-year-old Walter Landgraf Soapstone Quarry.

On Sunday, October 6th, at Matthies Grove in Peoples State Forest, East River Road, Barkhamsted, FALPS and the State of Connecticut celebrated the true essence of the “Peoples” State Forest. Attendees delved into its founding, participated in forest-related activities, watched oxen pull logs to a portable sawmill and observed the loggers milling the wood. They enjoyed a chain carving contest and witnessed dignitaries plant a ceremonial tree, among many other engaging events.

Both Robert Starr and Ken Feder remarked that it was a splendid day filled with beauty and history.

FALPS : FALPS is a group that works diligently and tirelessly to improve our forests, keep the trails clear, build bog bridges and boardwalks and fun year-round hikes and events to benefit those who visit the area.

Note: I’ll add any newspaper article links or photos of the event as they come in. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the event, but I can’t wait to see all the photos taken.

CT Visit & ct.org

L2R: Sites Archeologist Ken Feder &
Light House Descendant Robert Starr

L2R: Ginny Apple & Robert Starr – Photo credit: Robert Starr

Display by: Ginny Apple (based off archeological places of site)
Photo credit: Robert Starr

Coni Dubois

Barkhamsted Lighth ouse Threw It’s Beams Afar

Posted on July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 by Coni Dubois

Hello everyone! With the 2nd Barkhamsted Lighthouse Gathering of July 2025 on the horizon, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some information and historical context, so in the coming year I will be posting some of the Barkhamsted Light House Village story for you via research/documents/photos/newspaper articles… Etc.

The Springfield Daily Republican

**Springfield, Massachusetts · Sunday, June 24, 1923**

Newspapers.com

Coni Dubois

Connecticut Public Radio: Series on Connecticut Slavery

Posted on March 22, 2024March 23, 2024 by Coni Dubois

Got an email from Liz Lightfoot I wanted to share:

Via Liz: (Witness Stones Project)
On that note, I wanted to mention that all this week Connecticut Public Radio has been doing a series on Connecticut slavery. Today’s final episode of the series, Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery, focuses specifically on how students have responded to doing Il Witness Stones Project. As you will see, Dennis Culliton (WS founder/executive director), Joy Burns (WS director of outreach), and Jumoke McDuffie-Thurmond (poet, my former teaching colleague/WS collaborator) are featured, as are several remarkable students. Hopefully you’ll get a sense of what this experience meant to the students and how deeply they engaged…

If you’re interested, here is the full CT Public series: https://www.ctpublic.org/2024-03-15/slavery-north-connecticut-new-england-students-history.

All best,
Liz

(Note) Here are 2 link for you if above link doesn’t work:

1. https://www.pbs.org/video/historical-examination

2. https://www.pbs.org/show/unforgotten-connecticuts-hidden-history-of-slavery/

Coni Dubois

2025 Barkhamsted Lighthouse Gathering

Posted on February 23, 2024February 24, 2024 by Coni Dubois

Hello everyone!
I am pleased to announce that I am back to conducting research after a long hiatus. Due to a year of illness, I took a break from the internet and my research. My main focus has been on recovering, and I am happy to report that I am finally feeling like myself again and in good health.

With that being said, it’s time to start planning our 2025 Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village Gathering! I hope to see many of you there, and now is the time to request your time off from work. The gathering will take place on the weekend of July 4th, 2025 at the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Archaeological Preserve in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. The event is set on Facebook (make sure to let us know if planning on attending via event page in link)

If you are not on the descent list, please contact me to be included. I will be confirming all descendants and issuing descendant cards at a cost of $30 each. This fee covers the production costs, and the remaining funds will be used for the gathering in 2025.

I am in need of a team in Connecticut to assist with organizing and setting up the event, as I currently reside in Louisiana. Additionally, my cousin Veronica Lee Hawkins and I are looking for an Airbnb to rent for the weekend in 2025. If anyone knows of one that will be available, please let me know so we can secure it.

Furthermore, I will be creating a Barkhamsted Lighthouse Newsletter to keep everyone informed of all the events and activities planned for the gathering. For now, you can find info on BLVD Association & download the descendant’s packet at: https://conidubois.com/111-2/association/

Links for 2025 Event

Facebook Group: Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village

Facebook Messenger: Barkhamsted Lighthouse Gathering Chat Room

Stay tuned for more updates and I am excited to get to see all of you in 2025!

**2015 Barkhamsted Lighthouse Gathering**

Coni Dubois, Ken Feder

Got my copy of “The Barkhamsted Lighthouse: The Archaeology of the Lighthouse Family.” book in the mail from Ken Feder!

Posted on September 12, 2023September 12, 2023 by Coni Dubois

Ken Feder,

I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the dedication & chapter you included in your book. It was an incredibly touching gesture that truly touched my heart and the words you penned were incredibly moving, to the point where they brought tears to my eyes.

To see my name immortalized within the pages of your work is an honor beyond words. Your dedication has not only made me feel seen and appreciated, but it has also given me a sense of validation and encouragement in my endeavors. It is a reminder that the support and recognition of others can have a profound impact on one’s journey.

Your words and the sentiment behind them have touched me deeply. They serve as a reminder of the connection we have forged through our work and the impact it has had on my life. Your book has been a source of inspiration, knowledge, and solace, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of its creation in some small way.

Thank you for your dedication, not only to your craft but also to your readers. Your commitment to your work and the care you put into every word is evident in the pages of your book. It is a testament to your talent and passion as an author.

Please know that your dedication has left an indelible mark on me, and I will cherish it always. I am honored to have been a part of your journey, and I look forward to continuing to support and follow your work in the future.

I am deeply honored by the recognition you have given to my work and the invaluable assistance you have provided me with throughout my research journey. Your support has meant the world to me, and I am truly grateful for the impact you have had on my work.

You, Jenn, and your children hold a special place in my heart, and I consider you all as part of my extended family. Our bond is one that I cherish deeply, and it will always remain strong and meaningful to me.

With heartfelt appreciation & much love,

❤️ Coni Dubois

Personally signed and autographed for me.

I feel deeply honored that he chose to write a chapter about me in his book.

Kinny, In the course of my research, my dear friend, I have made a remarkable revelation: you are the truly extraordinary discovery. As I journeyed along, I cannot express enough gratitude for having crossed paths with someone like you, who selflessly dedicated time to help me unravel the mysteries of my ancestors, the Barkhamsted Lighthouse People.

On behalf of all the descendants, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to you and your invaluable work.

Thank you from the depths of our hearts.