Putnam Memorial State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Putnam Memorial State Park |
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General Israel Putnam statue at the entrance to Putnam Memorial State Park
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 Putnam Memorial State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Redding, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 183 acres (74 ha) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (180 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1887 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Putnam Memorial State Park |
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Putnam Memorial State Park
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Site of log huts on Company Street
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| Location | Jct. of Rtes. 58 (Black Rock Tpke.) and 107 (Park Rd.), Redding, Connecticut |
| Area | 183 acres (74 ha) |
| Built | 1778 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000683 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1970 |
Putnam Memorial State Park is a special place in Redding, Connecticut. It's a public park that helps us remember an important part of American history. This park protects the exact spot where Major General Israel Putnam and his soldiers camped during the winter of 1778-1779. This was a tough time during the American Revolutionary War.
The park is Connecticut's oldest state park, created way back in 1887. Local people in Redding helped make it happen! Besides its amazing history, the park has 183 acres for you to explore. You can go hiking, have a picnic, fish in the pond, or enjoy winter sports. The park is easy to find, located where Route 107 and Route 58 meet. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection takes care of it.
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A Look Back: The Park's History
During the winter of 1778-1779, over 3,000 American soldiers set up three camps in Redding. These camps were important for watching over supplies in Danbury, Connecticut. They also helped protect Long Island Sound and the Hudson Valley. Many of these brave soldiers had already faced a very difficult winter at Valley Forge National Historical Park the year before.
Two important groups of soldiers stayed here. One was the 2nd Canadian Regiment, also called Congress' Own, led by Moses Hazen. The other was the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, led by Enoch Poor.
The idea to protect this historic land started in 1887. A local man named Aaron Treadwell sold 12.4 acres to the state for just one dollar! He was encouraged by Redding historian Charles Burr Todd. In 1955, the Park and Forest Commission began managing the park. For some time in the 1990s, local volunteers helped keep the park going. It officially reopened under state care in 1997.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Putnam Memorial State Park offers many ways to learn and have fun!
Discover the Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit. It has cool displays about General Putnam's life and the soldiers' camp. You can also learn about the park's history. The building you see today was rebuilt in 2005. It used many parts from the original building from 1893.
Explore the Museum
Inside the museum, you'll find real items that were found at the park. There are also things that people have donated. The exhibits show what life was like for soldiers and colonists. They help us remember the brave men who stayed here.
See the Putnam Statue
At the park's entrance, you'll see a large statue of General Israel Putnam on his horse. A talented artist named Anna Hyatt Huntington created it. She was 93 years old when she gave it to the park in 1969! The statue shows the horse going down steps. This remembers a famous story from February 1779. General Putnam escaped British soldiers by riding his horse down 100 stone steps in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Wander the Historic Grounds
As you walk around the park, you'll see many interesting things. There are "firebacks," which are the remains of chimneys from the soldiers' huts. You can also see rebuilt copies of the guardhouse and officers' living areas. A tall monument, about 40 feet high, honors the officers and soldiers who were here.
Nature lovers will also enjoy the park. You can find a rock shelter called Philip's Cave. There are also huge rocks called "glacial erratics." These rocks were moved by glaciers long, long ago!
Join Special Events
The park hosts exciting events throughout the year. Every other November, you might see a historical reenactment. This is when people dress up and act out scenes from the past. On alternating Octobers, there's a fun ghost walk. A guided winter walk is held every December. These events are put on by a group called Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Park.
