The Ovals

The Ovals: Wilton’s Underground Railroad Safe House

Located at 36 Seeley Road, The Ovals was home to abolitionist William Wakeman in the years leading up to the Civil War. Wakeman was both a conductor and station master on the Underground Railroad, assisting escaped enslaved individuals by transporting them between safe locations and sheltering them in his home.

A Secret Passage to Freedom

The Ovals was equipped with an underground tunnel, accessible via a trap door in the floor. Though the tunnel has since collapsed and is no longer passable, it once provided a hidden refuge for those seeking freedom. Newspaper accounts from the time recall Wakeman’s late-night wagon journeys, secretly transporting “fugitives” to safety in neighboring towns.

The Only Recognized Underground Railroad Site in Fairfield County

While Wilton had a strong abolitionist presence, particularly centered around the Georgetown Baptist Church, The Ovals remains the only officially recognized Underground Railroad site in Fairfield County by the state of Connecticut.

A Private Piece of History

Now privately owned and not open to the public, The Ovals stands as a powerful testament to Connecticut’s abolitionist efforts, preserving the legacy of those who bravely fought for freedom.

This site is privately owned and not open to the public