July 4th Weekend
Our partners, friends and neighbors have put together some wonderful historically-inspired events around the Fourth of July. Huge thanks to Visit Litchfield, Litchfield Historical Society and Discover Litchfield Hills for supporting our community. You'll find even more ideas for the holiday weekend and beyond on these sites.
Legends and Lore: Reconsidering Perspectives of the American Revolution Exhibition
Friday, July 3, 2026
Actions taken during the American Revolution led to the creation of local legends, but as these stories passed through generations they often changed. Exploring well-known narratives reveals the complex motivations behind the rebellion and how we choose to remember them. Litchfield Historical Society’s 250th exhibition Legends and Lore: Reconsidering Perspectives of the American Revolution examines these tales and how they shape our understanding of the fight for independence.
Meet locals who helped create bullets from the statue of King George III; compare the plight of prisoners aboard British prison ships with the solitary confinement of loyalist William Franklin; and examine the foundational documents that cast our founding fathers as traitors to the crown.
Join these storytellers to dive into their tales in this free exhibition from April 17 through November 28, 2027 at the Litchfield History Museum (7 South Street, Litchfield) More information at litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org; 860-567-4501
Crown Troops in Litchfield Center
Friday, Jul 3, 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm & Saturday, Jul 4, 2026, 10:00 am-1:30 pm
Be on the lookout for His Majesty's 23rd Regiment of Foote and Royal Welsh Fusilliers in town. They are here as they might have been in 1776 perhaps behaving in ways that lead to the Declaration of Independence!
Col. Benjamin Tallmadge and Governor Oliver Wolcott Commemorations!
Saturday, Jul 4, 2026, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Salute Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, Washington’s Spy Master and Governor Oliver Wolcott, Sr, our Signer of the Declaration of Independence with the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Chapter NSDAR and the Oliver Wolcott Sr. Branch #10 CTSAR including cannon salutes from the First Litchfield Artillery Regiment & muskets from the SAR Color Guard!
First Litchfield Artillery's "Let Freedom Ring" Ceremony
Saturday, Jul 4, 2026, 1:15 pm-2:00 pm
Join us for a special celebration on July 4, 2026, as the First Litchfield Artillery Regiment and the Oliver Wolcott Branch #10 Sons of the American Revolution commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Starting at 1:15 each of the 13 original colonies will be introduced, it's flag will be presented and the cannon will fire (13 times). Bring ear protection!
First Litchfield Artillery Regiment has done this annually since the 1963 Senate Concurrent Resolution #25 was adopted and the "Committee of the Erics", who brough the idea to Congress, formed Connecticut's only chartered private militia in 1964!
Independence Day Fireworks at Bantam Lake
Saturday, Jul 4, 2026, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm
Town of Morris Beach and Rec Facility
407 East Shore Road, Morris, CT, 06763
These have always been spectacular. Be sure to thank the Bantam Lake Protective Association for doing these on July 4th by supporting them.
LITCHFIELD IS CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250 ALL YEAR LONG. FOR ONGOING COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS BEFORE AND AFTER JULY 4TH WEEKEND, VISIT A250LITCHFIELD.ORG