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For 105 years, Westport’s Minute Man Monument has honored the heroism of local patriots who took up their arms in “a minute’s notice” to defend their country when British forces invaded Connecticut on April 25, 1777. The newly restored monument represents a Revolutionary War minuteman, muzzle-loader in hand and eyes peeled for British troops returning from the Battle of Danbury.
The day is sponsored by Westport Arts Advisory Committee and Historic District Commission.
The following events are open to the public:
Noon to 2 p.m.: Meet the Westport Historical Society at Ned Dimes Marina (Compo Beach) for a docent-led walking tour and talk on the history of the Minute Man and the Battle at Compo, with a stop at the Revolutionary War cemetery. Tours depart every 15 minutes form 12-1:45 p.m. Price is $10 donation for adults; youths 12 and under are free. Proceeds will be donated to the future care of the monument. For information, click here or call (203)222-1424.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Visit a recreated Revolutionary militia encampment on Jesup Green next to the Westport Library and learn about the American Revolution from CT Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guards who will perform musket demonstrations. This event is free. For more information, click here.
2:30 p.m.: Hear Francis Miller of ConserveArt talk about how he restored the Minute Man Monument, with Town Curator Kathie Bennewitz, at the library’s McManus Room. History storyteller Ed Hynes will follow with an engaging interpretation of the landing at Compo and the Danbury Raid. On April 25, 1777, Tryon’s forces landed on what is now Westport’s Compo Beach. As the British marched to Danbury, the Patriots mustered their forces under the command of Maj. Gen. David Wooster and Brigadier Generals Benedict Arnold and Gold Selleck Silliman. What happens next to the British on their four-day raid and to the Patriots in their attempt to deny them safe return to their ships is a white-knuckle story not to missed. This event is free. For more information, click here or call (203)-291-4800.
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