February 8, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Join us for an engaging, interactive, and collaborative community experience.
A one-day community event that explores Connecticut in 1775, filled with presentations and conversation that offer different ways to think about our State’s involvement in the national commemoration of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Â
Finish the day with our idea of “Colonial Speed-dating!”Â
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| 9-9:45 a.m. | Registration, coffee, and hellos! |
| 10-11:15 a.m. | Connecticut 1775: The Year and the Newspapers. Â Matt Warshauer, Elise Jamharian, Bhaavni Krishna. |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | An African American Soldier on the Connecticut Line. John Mills (Alex Breanne Corporation) |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:40-2:40 p.m. | Afternoon Presentation – Choose a topic: Session 1: Norwich. Presented by the Norwich Historical Society. Session 2: Hartford. Presented by Connecticut’s Old State House. |
| 2:45-3:45 p.m | Afternoon Presentation – Choose a topic: Session 3: Litchfield. Presented by Litchfield Historical Society.  Session 4: New Haven. Presented by the New Haven Museum. |
| 4-5 p.m. | A “Revolutionary Reception! Mingle and Move on the Thirds.”  Snack and chat about engaging prompted questions until the Town Crier announces it’s time to move on. Go to a different table and chat some more. Enjoy 3 Rounds of Colonial “speed-dating.” |
The conference is FREE TO ATTEND thanks to the generous donation of Ms. Pat Moran, a lover of history and Connecticut! Â Breakfast and lunch is included!
Who should attend?  Town Coordinating Committees and Commission members, Museums, Historical Societies, Hereditary Organizations, Teachers, Students (grades 8-12), College Students, Historians…. anyone interested in the Commemoration of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.  Let’s talk! Â
Organizational Partners:
Central Connecticut State University; Avon Historical Society; The Litchfield Historical Society; The New Haven Museum; The Norwich Historical Society; Connecticut Council for Social Studies; Connecticut’s Old State House. Â
Location