An afternoon at Essex CT

Essex Connecticut is very picturesque, and is a pleasant walk. There is public parking by the post office, and close by that there is Essex park and a good place for a picnic. Walking east along Main Street towards  the town dock. There are many nice looking homes along Main Street, as well as a number of small shops to visit.

Some shops and establishments:

A bit of history on the Oliver Cromwell war ship

In June of 1776 the Oliver Cromwell war ship was launched at Essex. There is a placard that marks the spot of the launch. The ship was built for Connecticut’s navy which was formed after the start of the American Revolution in 1775. The Connecticut General Assembly authorized the purchase of several war ships for Connecticut, one of them being the Oliver Cromwell. The Oliver Cromwell captured nine British ships before it was captured by the British in July 1779.

July 2nd – Independence day?

John Adams believed July 2nd would be celebrated for generations to come (not July 4th). On July 2nd the Continental Congress voted for independence from Great Britain. It was on July 4th the delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of America sine 1776, but it was only been a federal holiday since 1941.


page imagepage image

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

-John Adams 3-July-1776 : to his wife Abigail (source)

 



Interested in seeing fireworks? The following list is from CTVisit.com

Thursday, June 30th

Friday, July 1st

Saturday, July 2nd

Sunday, July 3rd

Monday, July 4th

Wednesday, July 6th

  • Rockville
    July in the Sky
     – Henry Park (9:40 PM fireworks, festival starts at 6:30 PM). Rain Date: 7/7/2016

Friday, July 8th

Saturday, July 9th

Sunday, July 10th

Saturday, July 16th

Friday, July 22nd

  • New London
    Fireworks
    – Ocean Beach Park (9:00 PM). Rain Date: None

Saturday, July 23rd

Friday, July 29th

Saturday, July 30th

  • Portland
    Fireworks
    – Portland Fairground (9:30 PM). Rain Date: 7/31/2016

Friday, August 5th

Saturday, August 6th

Friday, August 12th

Saturday, August 13th

  • New Britain
    Fireworks
    – New Britain Stadium (End of Game). Rain Date: None

Saturday, August 20th

Friday, August 26th

Friday, September 2nd

  • New Britain
    Pyrotechnics Show
    – New Britain Stadium (End of Game). Rain Date: None

Saturday, September 17th

– See more at: http://www.ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-fireworks-2016#sthash.itXSrlwQ.dpuf

Connecticut Open House June 11

One June 11 2016, Connecticut will have an open house. Attractions, museums, galleries and organizations in towns and cities all across Connecticut will be opening their doors and welcoming visitors with discounted or free admission, giveaways, special offers, hands-on activities for the kids and more. It’s a great way to discover or rediscover all that is happening in our state.

All you need is a Connecticut Drivers licence to recieve the discounts on admission.

Visit this link, and choose the town for events.

Connecticut open house 2016 June 11Some attractions are:

  • Gillette Castle State Park – East Haddam- free admission
  • Dinosaur State Park – Rocky Hill – free admission
  • Deacon John Grave House – Madison – 1685 house heath cooking demonstations
  • Many others.

 

check out the ctvisit.com site link for more

George Washington Trail

georgeWashintonMarkerIt was June 29 1775, just over 2 months since Paul Revere rode from Boston to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were coming to arrest them. The battles at Lexington and Concord which ensued began the Revolutionary War. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14th and 43 year old George Washington was appointed General and Commander-in-chief. Washington set out from Philadelphia towards Boston to take command of the army there.

The route which Washington traveled is marked with a number of plaques. The one in Durham pictured here is one I ran across while heading over to pick up some milk, cheese and yoghurt at a farm nearby. The road I was on, was the same one George Washington used in 1775 while heading to Boston and once again in 1789 after he was elected president.

This plaque was placed here in 1932 for the bicentennial celebration of Washington’s birth.