A unique place in history: Wethersfield celebrates America’s 250th anniversary

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Cities and towns across the United States are celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America this year. But this town will do so with a special distinction.

“Wethersfield has such a unique place in the history of this country,” Mayor Ken Lesser said. “The most crucial battle of the Revolutionary War was planned here. It was called the Wethersfield Conference.”

Gen. George Washington spent three days in Connecticut’s “most ancient” town developing the strategy that would lead to final victory in the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia.

Information available on the Wethersfield Historical Society’s website indicates that Washington stayed at the Webb House, now part of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum. He met with the Comte de Rochambeau, representing the French Army, to plan the strategic move that led to success at Yorktown.

Lesser said two other men who became presidents, John Adams and James Monroe, also visited this town. This also offers an opportunity for people to learn more about diplomat Silas Deane, after whom a highway and middle school are named.

“We have a cool place in the founding of this country. We want people to know this history.”

Many organizations including the museum, historical society and Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association will use America 250 as a theme for their events and activities, he added. The historical society recently hosted a traveling exhibit called “Forgotten Patriots” that chronicles the untold contributions of Blacks, native people and women in America’s struggle for independence.

The Governor’s Foot Guard Band is scheduled to perform in concert July 3 at Kycia Farm. On July 8 this town will participate in the national reading of the Declaration of Independence. Lesser sees this year of celebration as an opportunity for the town to reap cultural, economic and educational benefits.

Chris Traczyk is the chairperson of the town’s Tourism and Cultural Commission. She said the planning for this year of celebration is going well.

“The Tourism and Cultural Commission is charged with overseeing Wethersfield’s America 250 celebration” along with several community partners, she said.

Many of those partners hold seats on the commission including the historical society, Webb Deane Stevens Museum, Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce and shopkeepers’ association.

“Finalizing plans always takes longer,” she said of the various activities being planned for later this year.

The Webb Deane Stevens Museum has been offering lectures and there are more to come. May 16 is the date for its “Feuding Founders” program that delves into the personal and political conflicts of key Revolutionary War figures including John Jay, Silas Deane and the four Lee brothers of Virginia.

“The town already has a full calendar of events … this year all of those events have an American 250 theme,” Traczyk said.

Among them is the Governor’s Foot Guard concert at Kycia Farm. A community picnic is scheduled for July 5 at Cove Park.

“We’re going to have music, we’re going to have games,” she said. “We have a very diverse community” and she is hopeful that this will be represented among those who attend.

Traczyk agreed with Lesser that “it’s important to highlight Wethersfield’s role. We are, along with many communities across the country, reading the Declaration of Independence on July 8 at 6 p.m.”

This will begin at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center and participants will walk to the cove, pausing at various historical markers along the way, before completing the reading at the Cove Warehouse.

The reader will be Wesley Broulik, a local resident and the producing artistic director of the Times Fool Company, which presents outdoor performances of plays penned by William Shakespeare.

Traczyk said the Memorial Day Parade on May 23 will be followed by a Wethersfield 250 Jubilee. Live music will be provided by students from the middle and high schools.

Reenactment performers representing the 2^nd Light Dragoons, the American Revolution’s first cavalry unit, will be on hand. This unit was founded in Wethersfield WL

For additional events and details visit historicwethersfield.org.