New Exhibit at the Litchfield Historical Society Features a Unique Take on Well-Known Revolutionary Stories
The Litchfield Historical Society reopens for the season this month with two new exhibits that commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The public is invited to the opening of the exhibits on Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org or calling 860-567-4501.
Legends and Lore: Reconsidering Perspectives of the American Revolution examines Litchfield’s well-known tales: the melting of a statue of King George III on South Street; the imprisonment of William Franklin in Litchfield; the escape of local loyalists to Canada; those who enlisted to fight and those who supported from home. The accounts of these events have been saved, told, and retold countless times, but do these accounts truly record the revolution or give us a nostalgic picture of these events? Legends and Lore pairs archival records with current research to grapple with what the revolution represented to those who lived it and ask visitors what the fight for freedom means today.
One People: Portraits of the Early Republic gives visitors the chance to meet those involved in the earliest days of the United States of America. This exhibit highlights some of the American Revolution’s most recognizable revolutionary leaders, alongside the unknown, but influential, figures who never had their likeness recorded at all.
Not to be missed while on display in our new exhibits: a rare 1830s print of the Declaration of Independence from a private collection; portraits of Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington’s Spymaster; and an interactive photo opportunity that puts visitors into Litchfield’s past.
The historical society’s museums, the Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School, reopen to the public on April 18 with free admission courtesy of Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services LLC. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Litchfield Historical Society is located at 7 South Street, Litchfield, CT. The phone number is 860-567-4501. Learn more at www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.
