Calendar – Putnam Memorial State Park

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Oct 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Nov 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Winter Walk: Living History in the Revolutionary Encampment at Putnam Memorial State Park @ Historic Loop – Putnam Memorial State Park

Tickets

Dec 5 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

The beloved annual event returns with a twist to celebrate America 250!

Have you ever wondered what it looked like when the Continental Army arrived in “Reading” CT in December 1778? Here’s your chance to find out! Local living historians will recreate the Revolutionary War Winter Encampment for one day only. Join us to explore.

Schedule subject to change – check back for updates before the event starts.

December 4th, afternoon/evening: Reenactors arrive and set up for an overnight lock-in. Swing by before the park closes to the public at dusk to see the tent city take shape.

December 5th, 11 AM-12:15 PM: 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.

12:15 PM-12:45 PM: Experience the “fog of war” by witnessing an exciting tactical skirmish between British & American forces. As you watch the battle, expect to smell smoke and hear the crack of black powder, the boom of cannon & the pounding of the drums! (Those not wishing to watch the battle can head to the Visitor Center for refreshments.)

12:15 PM – 2 PM: Drop in anytime in this window to explore the 1893 Pavilion and Visitor Center, which recently celebrated the 21st anniversary of its restoration. Here, chat with park historian Ellery, enjoy light refreshments, and experience the new Discovery Cart recreating Sgt. Maj. Hawkins’s lost knapsack!

12:45 PM – 3 PM: Drop in anytime in this window to tour the Winter Encampment and talk to the soldiers, camp followers, and artisans who made the Revolution possible! Craft demonstrations TBA.

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.

Please consider carpooling, as on-site parking is limited. Additional parking is possible on the recreational side of the park across Route 58. A small shuttle will operate to ferry people from one side of the park to the other.

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.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Dec 8 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Feb 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Mar 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Apr 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

May 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Jun 8 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.

Monthly FANS Meeting @ Visitor Center

Tickets

Sep 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the FANS (Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park) for our monthly meeting. This is a great way to support the park and learn more about the organization. We put on the park’s educational events, raise money, and help coordinate improvements such as the recent Museum Makeover. Help us in our mission and make your voice heard! Attendance is possible both in-person and virtually through Google Meet; only existing members of the organization or interested parties who specifically request it will receive the meeting link, but all are welcome.

In-person plus virtual meetings are June, September, October, November, and December; virtual-only meetings are February, March, April, and May. We do not meet in January, July, or August.