The Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Inc. CTSSAR Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee 2016 Annual Report Todd Gerlander, Chairman Committee Members: February 5, 2017 Lee Gerlander, Randal Gerlander, David Perkins, Mark Sheldon, Russell Wirtalla 2016 was a VERY busy year for CTSSAR Historic Sites and Celebrations. In 2016 (6) wreaths were placed on behalf of the Connecticut SAR. Friday June 17, 2016 - (1) Connecticut Gate and (2) United States Gate, (NSSAR) Bunker Hill Day, 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775), Charlestown, MA. (NSSAR Historic Site/Celebration and Silver Color Guard Medal Event) Sunday September 4, 2016 - (1) Fort Griswold and (2) Col. Ledyard Cemetery (NSSAR) Battle of Groton Heights (September 6, 1781), 234th Anniversary Commemoration, Fort Griswold & Col. Ledyard Cemetery, Groton, CT. (NSSAR Historic Site/Celebration and Silver Color Guard Medal Event) Sunday October 2, 2016 - (1) 125th year commemoration of CTSSAR ownership of the War Office and (2) Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. 306th Birthday Commemoration, War Office, Lebanon, CT. Friday June 17, 2016 Bunker Hill Day NSSAR 241st Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) First Major Battle of the American Revolution (NSSAR Historic Site/Celebration and Silver Color Guard Event) 10:00 AM - Ecumenical Services at St. Francis de Sales Church on Bunker Hill. 10:45 AM - Procession/Parade to the Bunker Hill Monument on Breed's Hill. 11:00 AM - Ceremonies at the Bunker Hill Monument. The SAR fired a three-volley musket salute to the heroes of Bunker Hill and placed wreaths at the (4)
Bunker Hill Monument NPS entrance gates (Connecticut, New Hampshire, United States of America, Massachusetts). 2016 marked 20 years of CTSSAR color guard participation in events at the Bunker Hill Monument, Boston NPS, Charlestown, Massachusetts. Saturday June 18, 2016 Connecticut Independence Day CTSSAR 240th Anniversary Commemoration of Connecticut's "Declaration of Independence" (June 18, 1776) The Revolutionary Spirit was evident in Connecticut, when on June 16, 1776, the General Assembly directed our delegates to the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, to vote for Independence. This was followed two days later with a Proclamation by Jonathan Trumbull, the Patriot Governor, which has become known as Connecticut's "Declaration of Independence". 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM - 1st of 4 Special Events/Exhibits at the War Office, Lebanon, This was the 4th time we commemorated "Connecticut Independence Day" at the War Office. Saturday July 23, 2016 Lafayette Day CTSSAR 236th Anniversary Commemoration of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Lebanon, and the letter he wrote to General George Washington while staying in Lebanon at the house of Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. (July 20, 1780). 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - 2nd of 4 Special Events/Exhibits at the War Office, Lebanon, We had 4 visitors at the War Office that day. This was the second time we commemorated Lafayette's visit to Lebanon, the first time was back in 2007 when we commemorated the 250th Anniversary of his birth. In 2007 we had a Lafayette display at the War Office, which included a copy of a letter he wrote to Gen. George Washington while staying with Gov. Jonathan Trumbull in Lebanon on July 20, 1780. In 2007 we also held joint ceremonies with the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati at the Lafayette Statue in Hartford. Saturday August 20, 2016 From Puritan to Patriot, Connecticut's Military from its Puritan Foundation to the American Revolution.
CTSSAR 381st Anniversary Commemoration of Connecticut (1635-2016) 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - 3rd of 4 Special Events/Exhibits at the War Office, Lebanon, This was the second time we ran the Puritan to Patriot Exhibit. The first time was back in 2010 when the event was listed as part of the 375th Anniversary of the State of Connecticut Official Events. This is an outdoor exhibit of military arms and armor that would have been used by the Connecticut military from the founding to the American Revolution. It was well attended both times. We had 27 visitors to the War Office at this year s event. Sunday September 4, 2016 NSSAR 235th Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights (September 6, 1781) (NSSAR Historic Site/Celebration and Silver Color Guard Event) 3:00 PM - Connecticut SAR Wreath Ceremony at the Col. Ledyard Marker, Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Groton, 4:00 PM - Connecticut SAR Wreath Ceremony at the gravesite of Col. William Ledyard, Col. Ledyard Cemetery, Groton, The NSSAR 235th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Groton Heights (September 6, 1781) was held September 4, 2016 at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and at the Col. William Ledyard Cemetery in Groton, The CTSSAR placed two wreaths, one at the Col. Ledyard memorial stone inside Fort Griswold, and one at Col. William Ledyard's gravesite in the Col. William Ledyard Cemetery. 2016 marked 20 years of CTSSAR color guard participation in Revolutionary War battle reenactments/encampments, commemoration ceremonies, education programs, etc., at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. 2016 also marked the 4th year of official NSSAR Historic Site and Celebration status. The first national event recognized in It also marked 4 years of CTSSAR ceremonies, separate and in addition to the annual Friends of Fort Griswold Ceremonies which we have participated in annually since 1997. With the hurricane/tropical storm mania, and some media confusion on what events were canceled, etc., we had 73 visitors at our 3:00 PM ceremony at Fort Griswold, and 17 visitors at our 4:00 PM ceremony at the Col. William Ledyard Cemetery. The Friends of Fort Griswold canceled their 6:30 PM wreath ceremony/candlelight vigil. CTSSAR color guard participation after 4 years is still very high... and continues to be one of our best attended events, a good sign for the future. 2013-28 Connecticut Line CTSSAR attending (18 muskets)
2014-23 Connecticut Line CTSSAR attending (16 muskets) 2015-22 Connecticut Line CTSSAR attending (10 muskets) 2016-21 Connecticut Line CTSSAR attending (9 muskets) The Commander of the FLSSAR Sons of Liberty Chapter Color Guard participated in the ceremonies. We would also have had two members of the OHSSAR Color Guard participating if not for the predicted bad weather. Several Connecticut SAR members were in attendance, but I would still like to see greater CTSSAR member attendance, being a National SAR event. Compatriot Tyler Smith has been setting up the Col. Ledyard Ceremonies at the Col. Ledyard Cemetery for the past several years, and it is my hope that the Nathan Hale Branch CTSSAR will take over the oversight of the NSSAR Battle of Groton Heights Commemoration Ceremonies in the future. The Connecticut SAR also had a photo published in the September 5, 2016 edition of the New London Day newspaper. Saturday September 17, 2016 Constitution Day in the Constitution State CTSSAR 229th Anniversary Commemoration of the United States Constitution (September 17, 1787) 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - 4th of 4 Special Events/Exhibits at the War Office, Lebanon, This was the first time, at least in a VERY long time, that CTSSAR commemorated Constitution Day. We set up historical Revolutionary War flags outside, and a Constitution display table inside. We also gave out FREE pocket Constitutions to visitors. We also displayed a portrait (Sketch by Col. John Trumbull) of Connecticut hero, Lieutenant- Colonel Thomas Knowlton (Commander of Knowlton's Rangers). September 16th marked the 240th Anniversary of his death at the Battle of Harlem Heights in New York City, September 16, 1776. The event ran from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we had 36 visitors to the War Office that day. Sunday October 2, 2016 1:00 PM 125th year commemoration ceremony of CTSSAR ownership of the War Office.
1:30 PM - CTSSAR Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. 306th Birthday Commemoration Ceremony (October 12, 1710) Both ceremonies were well attended by both the CTSSAR, CTDAR and the public. The CTSSAR placed 2 wreaths at the War Office. The Connecticut Line CTSSAR set up a Revolutionary War encampment outside the War Office. Members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR opened the War Office from 10 AM to 5 PM. An article on the event appeared in the Turnbull Clan Association Fall 2016 newsletter.