Westport Historical Society Opens Danbury Raid Exhibit

On April 1st the Westport Historical Society kicks off American Revolution Month with the opening of its Danbury Raid exhibit, commemorating the raid's 240th anniversary. A reception to celebrate the opening will take place on Sunday April 2 from 3 – 5 pm.  The exhibit will follow the 1777 landing of British troops at Compo Beach in Fairfield (today’s Westport) who marched north to confiscate or destroy General George Washington’s supplies in Danbury.  Returning to their ships, the British fought the Battle of Ridgefield, outwitted Brigadier General Benedict Arnold at Old Hill in Norwalk (today’s Westport), and battled the Patriots at Compo Hill. 

The exhibit will feature maps of British troop movements, accounts of firefights between Redcoats and Patriots, portraits of the principal commanders, and displays of uniforms, weaponry, documents and tents. 

We are excited that Connecticut’s Governor Dannel Malloy, Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling, Ridgefield’s First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Westport’s First Selectman James Marpe are each issuing Proclamations declaring April 2017 American Revolution Month to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of the Danbury Raid. 

To celebrate, the Westport Historical Society will hold a variety of events throughout the month.  Lectures will be held on topics including Revolutionary-era Art; Westport’s Uncivil Revolution; Monument Madness & Minute Man Monument; and the Raid itself.  There will also be a bus tour tracking the route of the British troops and a concert at Greens Farms Congregational Church of music that George Washington would have heard. 

Other Westport organizations joining in sponsoring activities include the Arts Center (a fun art contest), the Library (building a diorama of the Battle of Ridgefield, a book lecture and an 18th century exhibit at the Maker Faire) and the Center for Senior Activities (cooking demonstrations and lectures).  Many restaurants are also getting into the celebration by serving “Revolutionary Era” dishes during the month of April. 

Other towns along the British route are celebrating as well.  Ridgefield will stage a reenactment of the Battle of Ridgefield along with lectures, encampments, memorials and a dinner.  Wilton will also have a lecture and dinner. 

The Danbury Raid exhibit will run from April 1st through May 29th at Westport Historical Society’s Wheeler House, 25 Avery Place, Westport, across from Town Hall.  Hours are M-F from 10:00 to 4:00 and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00. There is no charge but donations are welcome. For more information please visit our website at westporthistory.org or call 203-222-1424.

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Submitted by Westport, CT

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