Putnam Memorial State Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Putnam Memorial State Park is named for Major General Israel Putnam who chose the site as the winter encampment for his men during the winter of 1778-1779. The former American Revolutionary War encampment and park is located at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58 in Redding, Connecticut, in the United States of America. The park also has a number of caves, of various depths.

[edit] Background

The park contains a visitors center and a museum both containing artifacts found at the park and donated items. with exhibiting demonstrating colonial life and honoring the men who were stationed there. There are firebacks which are the remains of the enlisted soldiers chimneys, as well as reconstructed replicas of the guard house and an officers quarters. There is a 40 foot tall monument commemorating the commanding officers and men who were stationed there. The park was established in 1887 by Charles Burr Todd a resident of Redding.

[edit] History

There were over 3000 men sent into winter quarters spread throughout 3 camps in Redding. These camps were established to keep and eye on the storehouses in Danbury, CT and to protect the Long Island Sound and the Hudson River Valley. Many of these men were the same who had suffered at Valley Forge the previous winter. The 2nd Canadian Regiment, or Congress' own, under the command of Moses Hazen and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment under the command of Enoch Poor were stationed at the current park.