Putnam Memorial State Park

Connecticut's Valley Forge

Calendar

    Nov
    1
    Sat
    2025
    Ghost Walk 2025 @ Main Gates
    Nov 1 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Ghost Walk 2025 @ Main Gates

    Join the 5th Connecticut Regiment for an evening of spooky storytelling!

    Revolutionary War reenactors will guide you through a nighttime stroll to different storytelling stations. Before and after, you can warm up with light refreshments at the Visitor Center.

    This is an outdoor event, weather permitting, but will move indoors in case of bad weather.

    Although it may be frightening for younger children, it is intended for all ages.

    Admission is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

    There are two parking lots available, one by the Main Gates and one below the Visitor Center. Spots will fill up quickly, so please consider carpooling when possible!

    Accessibility information:

    • The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms available on the lower level. The lower level has a separate entrance and can be accessed without the use of stairs. A low-grade packed gravel path leads around the building to facilitate wheelchair access.
    • The Ghost Walk does not require strenuous walking, but some uphill/downhill walking is expected. The walk will go from the Main Gates to the “Cemetery” and back, with ~15-20 minutes of sitting (BYO chair or sit on the ground) or standing at each of the three stations.
    • The large hill from the Main Gates to the Historic Loop is paved. The Loop itself is gravel. The gravel loop is navigable with a power chair.
    Dec
    6
    Sat
    2025
    Winter Walk 2025 @ Historic Loop – Putnam Memorial State Park
    Dec 6 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Winter Walk 2025 @ Historic Loop - Putnam Memorial State Park
    Join park historian Ellery Thomas Leary, M.A. for a walking tour of Redding’s Revolutionary War Winter Encampment! Learn about the lives of people we’ve researched through the recent NPS grant project, Forgotten Voices of the American Revolution, and hear about the latest archaeological research being conducted at the site.
    Following the walk, which is a mile-long gravel loop, visitors may exit the park or stay to watch a tactical skirmish featuring reenactors from CT & NY regiments.
    A special pop-up gift shop with books, FANS merchandise, replica musket balls & more will be available – your last chance to shop our store until spring 2026!
    This outdoor event takes place in all safe weather conditions. Watch this page for cancellation in case of dangerous weather.
    The Winter Walk is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome to support the Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park.

    Accessibility information:

    • The Winter Walk is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms available on the lower level. The lower level has a separate entrance and can be accessed without the use of stairs. A low-grade packed gravel path leads around the building to facilitate wheelchair access.
    • The Winter Walk does not require strenuous walking and tends to proceed at a leisurely pace. Some uphill/downhill walking is expected around the mile-long gravel loop. There is built-in resting time (while the presenter speaks for a few minutes) after each ~0.2 miles.
    • The large hill from the Main Gates to the Historic Loop is paved. The Loop itself is gravel. The gravel loop is navigable with a power chair. Power chair rentals are not yet available at this park, but you are welcome to bring your own chair and charge it at our Visitor Center if needed.
    • There will be black-powder shooting during the skirmish, which involves loud noise and smoke. This may be distressing to some visitors; please exercise caution and take the opportunity to exit before the skirmish if necessary. We recommend taking particular care with dogs, who are welcome on the walk but usually don’t appreciate the skirmish.