Putnam Park

Putnam Park, the site of Connecticut’s Valley Forge on the Redding-Bethel border, is well worth a tour. The “winter quarters at Camp Redding,” 1778-1779 were under the command of Major General Israel Putnam, who’s recalled in an equestrian statue (from another of his adventures) by the late Redding sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. It was restored and moved in a park renovation program that included the restoration of the park pavilion (built in 1893) as a visitor center, which has a new permanent exhibit, introducing the park and its history. The park features old cannons and the remnants of the firebacks where soldiers had their huts. The park benefits from the support of the Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial Park, who lobbied to have the park designated a Connecticut Archaelogical Preserve. For several years in the 1990s, when state park budgets were slashed, it was the neighbors who physically maintained the park. There is a museum, with artifacts found on the premises during the park’s development and in archaeological digs. It is open to visitors during the warmer months; information is posted on the Web site. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset.

Details

Putnam Memorial State Park is on the Redding-Bethel line at the intersection of Routes 58 and 107. For information, call 203-938-2285 or visit nochildleftinside.org/parks/putnam.php.