Learn about the former slave who helped build New Haven April 15, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail A statue of William Lanson in New HavenHearst Connecticut Media file NEW HAVEN — A seminar and film discussing 19th century Black community leader William Lanson, a former slave, is being offered by Site Projects|New Haven later this month, according to a release. The event, “The Life and Times of William Lanson: Black Freeman in 19th Century New Haven,” will be held via Zoom from 3-4:30 p.m. April 25, the release said. It is being presented by Site Projects|New Haven in partnership with CT Humanities, the New Haven Free Public Library and the city’s Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism.