This section of the web site is devoted to
autographs, documents, prints, books, pamphlets and other memorabilia of the
history of the State of Connecticut, our home state. Connecticut is
a small state but it played a large role in the nations early history, including
the Revolutionary War, Founding Period and Civil War.
After the Battles of Lexington and Concord Connecticut
in 1775 was quick to raise troops that participated in
critical battles such as those at Bunker Hill in Boston, Fort Ticonderoga and
even in Canada. Once American Independence was declared Connecticut led by
patriot Governor Jonathan Trumbull was a critical supplier of men and war
materials, including food and ammunition, to George Washington's Continental
Army. Connecticut was invaded during the war, most notably in New London
(Fort Trumbull) and Groton (Fort Griswold) by a British force led by the traitor
and Connecticut native Benedict
Arnold. Revolutionary War heroes included Generals Israel Putnam, Thomas
Knowlton, Jedidiah
and Jabez Huntington and Nathan Hale.
Click
here for Colonial
and Revolutionary War Era Items
After the war Connecticut made important contributions to the formation of the nation
through the
Articles of Confederation, Continental Congress and in the creation and early administration of the
United States Constitution. Oliver Ellsworth, Roger Sherman, Oliver Wolcott
(Junior and Senior), Jedidiah Huntington and other Connecticut citizens were important men
in America's Founding Period. During this period Connecticut also went through
an internal revolution which overturned the state religion (the
Congregational Church) and separated its legislative, executive and judicial
functions through the new 1818 Constitution.
Click here
for items from the Founding
Period, War of 1812, Constitution of 1818 to Civil War
Connecticut made very
important contributions to maintaining the union during the Civil War and ending slavery through its
civil government led by Governor William Buckingham, its manufacturing of
important war materials (e.g., Colt firearms) and the efforts of
soldiers of all ranks. Gideon Welles served in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet
as Secretary of Navy and Union Generals such as Alfred Terry and John Sedgwick
distinguished themselves on the battlefield.
Click here for
Civil War and Reconstruction Period Items
The 20th Century saw the growth of
Connecticut's industrial capacity and participation in the two World Wars
and the fight against Communism in which the state's defense industries
played a prominent role. Connecticut politicians also participated in the
issues of the day on both a state and national level.
Click here for Modern
Era 20th Century Items
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