Putnam Memorial State Park

Putnam Memorial State Park is named for Major General Israel Putnam who chose the site as the winter encampment for his men during the winter of 1778/1779. The former American Revolutionary War encampment and park is located at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58 in Redding, Connecticut, in the United States of America. It is Connecticut's oldest state park, established in 1887 by Redding resident Charles Burr Todd.

History
Over 3000 men were sent into winter quarters spread throughout three camps in Redding. The camps were established to keep an eye on the storehouses in Danbury, Connecticut, and to protect Long Island Sound and the Hudson River Valley. Many of these men were the same who had suffered at Valley Forge the previous winter. The 2nd Canadian Regiment, or Congress' Own, under the command of Moses Hazen and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment under the command of Enoch Poor were stationed at the current park.

Activities and amenities

 * Museum: The park's visitors center and museum display artifacts found at the park as well as donated items. The exhibits demonstrate colonial life and honor the men who were stationed here.
 * Putnam Statue: In 1969 at age 93, the sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington donated the equestrian statue of General Israel Putnam which is situated at the entrance to the park. It depicts the horse going down steps. The legend states in February 1779, General Putnam escaped a cohort of British Dragoons by riding his horse down 100 stone steps at Horses Neck, Greenwich, Connecticut.
 * Grounds: There are numerous firebacks, which are the remains of the enlisted soldiers' chimneys, as well as reconstructed replicas of the guard house and an officers' quarters. A 40 ft monument commemorates the commanding officers and men who were stationed here. The grounds also have many natural wonders including a rock-shelter cave and many large glacial erratics.
 * Events: The park hosts an annual reenactment in late October and a guided winter walk in December as well as weekend events in late July and early August. Events are hosted by the organization Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Park.

The park also has picnicking, pond fishing, and ice skating.