Dive Into Revolutionary War History at Putnam Memorial State Park
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If you’re interested in the Revolutionary War history, this state park in Redding, Connecticut needs to be on your list. The park commemorates the Revolutionary War winter encampment that was set on the site in 1778-1779. There’s plenty to do and see in this park, including remnants of the encampment that once sat here.
History
As I mentioned briefly above, the park was the site of a winter encampment between 1778 and 1779. The encampment was settled by the Continental Army under the command of General Israel Putnam.
During their time in the camp, the soldiers faced brutal winter conditions including severe cold and scarce provisions, clothing, and medicine. Today, the land that the encampment was on remains relatively untouched.
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In terms of the history of the park itself, it is Connecticut’s oldest public park. Initially, the park was a memorial to the soldiers who were in the encampment. They wanted a way to commemorate the soldiers who wintered there, which is why there’s such a strong focus on the history.
The monument in the park was erected in 1888. Shortly after, construction began for the park entrances, roads, bridges, and cabins to replicate the ones in the encampment. In 1893, the picnic pavilion (now the Visitor Center) was built. It is recognized as the first permanent building in a Connecticut State Park.
You can read a more detailed history of the park on the Putnam Memorial State Park website:
Things See and To Do
There’s plenty to see and do within this park. Whether you’re looking to dive into history or spend time in nature, this park has you covered.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is seasonal, but it’s a great spot to start your visit to the park if you’re visiting for the first time. The Visitor Center is located right by the entrance of the park. Inside, you’ll find maps, information about the history, displays, and a gift shop. You’ll also find bathrooms and water in here!
The Museum
In addition to the Visitor Center, there’s a small museum in the park, which is also seasonal. An interesting fact about the building is that the external plan is based on George Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh, New York.
Inside the museum, you’ll be able to see artifacts that have been found on the grounds of the park, dioramas, paintings, and antiques. It’s really cool getting to see pieces of history, especially knowing that a lot of items were found in the park.
Historic Walking Trail
The historic walking trail is a wide loop around the park that’s a mile long. The trail highlights the history with informational signs and more.
At the beginning of the trail, you’ll see the memorial monument. The monument was constructed in 1888, one year after the park was commissioned. It honors the three different Continental Army camps that were in Redding during the winter of 1778-1779.
Other points of interest you’ll come across as you walk the trail are the Command Officers Quarters, an oven foundation, the Officers Barracks and Magazine, and the Officers Hut. Most of these are off of the main loop.
Is This Park Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! It’s a great place to dive into some of Connecticut’s Revolutionary War History. The best time to visit is between Memorial Day and Veterans Day so you can experience everything the park has to offer. However, the park is great to visit year-round. They have different events throughout the year in both the warmer and cooler months. You can find a full list of activities on the Putnam Memorial State Park website.
