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Connecticut
7

Connecticut State Parks

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USA Parks
Connecticut
Fairfield County Region
Putnam Memorial State Park
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Putnam Memorial State Park Solitary Walk © Lora Warnick
Putnam Memorial State Park Entrance © Gary Jordan
Putnam Memorial State Park Interior/Officers Quarters © Gary Jordan
Putnam Memorial State Park Putnam Memorial © Gary Jordan
Putnam Memorial State Park Water lily © Lora Warnick
Putnam Memorial State Park Museum © Gary Jordan
Fireplace inside the Museum
Putnam Memorial State Park Officers Quarters © Gary Jordan
Site of Officers Quarters. This structure was built upon an earlier foundation believed to have originated with the encampment.
Putnam Memorial State Park Israel Putnam © Gary Jordan
Sculpture by Anna Hyatt Huntington finished when she was 93 years old.
Putnam Memorial State Park Guard House © Gary Jordan
Re-created Guard House.
Putnam Memorial State Park Museum © Gary Jordan
This Museum contains exhibits and historical material from the Redding encampment.
Putnam Memorial State Park Ghosts of Houses © Gary Jordan
Putnums soldiers built winter houses, completed in a span of just two weeks. All that remains now are piles of stones that once served as their fireplaces.
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PUTNAM MEMORIAL STATE PARK
PUTNAM MEMORIAL STATE PARK
429 Black Rock Turnpike
Redding, Connecticut   06896

Phone: 203-938-2285
Toll Free: 866-287-2757
Email: park email button icon
Create a hands-on history lesson with a visit to Putnam Memorial State Park, site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment in Bethel, Connecticut.
Nature of the Area
In addition to being a Revolutionary War Memorial, Putnam State Park is an excellent site to examine the Rowe Schist, a silvery, medium to coarse-grained schist that contains garnet and muscovite mica. Even though the garnets in the schist are not of gem quality, they are dark red and range in size from 2-3 mm in length. Likewise, the Connecticut state mineral is garnet. Schist is a type of metamorphic rock that has undergone intense heat, pressure, and hot fluids. By definition, schist contains more than 50% platy and elongate minerals such as mica and amphibole. This high percentage of platy minerals allows schist to be easily split into thin flakes or slabs.

The Rowe Schist is exposed below the monument at the entrance to the park. The outcrop is massive in size and supports a large memorial to the Revolutionary War Soldiers.

As you continue down the trail to the right you can see on the left several large clusters of rocks. These rock clusters are believed to have served as foundations for the soldiers' living quarters. Likewise, other piles of rocks found are believed to be the remnants of bread ovens constructed by the soldiers.

Also of geologic interest on the trail is a small rock shelter named Philip's Cave. Although referred to as a cave, it is actually a plucked rock shelter that was glacially formed. South-facing rock shelters like this one were at one time used by Native Americans because they are warmed by the lower sun in the winter, and protected from the higher sun in the summer. The rocks comprising the shelter are Rowe Schist. In this area of the park the schist is rusty due to weathering.
History of the Area
This was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of remains of the encampment, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum.
Passes
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.



Trails
- Red Trail: This is the main trail, approximately 2.5 miles long; it circles around Lake McDougall and passes through various historical sites including General Putnam's headquarters.

- Blue Trail: A shorter route of about one mile that takes hikers to a scenic overlook with views over the park's lake and surrounding forested areas.

- Yellow Trail: Approximately half-mile in length, this path leads visitors directly to an old foundation site believed once belonged to Israel Putnam Jr.'s house.

- Green Nature Walkway: An easy walk suitable for all ages which features informative signs along its quarter-mile stretch describing local flora and fauna found within the park grounds.

- White Memorial Grove Pathway : Shorter than most trails at only .25 miles but offers access into a peaceful grove dedicated as memorial space featuring plaques commemorating significant individuals or events related to Connecticut history.

- Orange Loop Connector Trails : These are smaller paths connecting different sections of other major trails allowing more customized hiking routes depending on visitor preferences ranging from less than .1 mile up till nearly half-a-mile each.

-Pink Butterfly Garden Route : Not exactly a traditional hike but rather short stroll leading towards butterfly garden showcasing variety native species during warmer months spanning just under tenth-of-a-miles distance total.

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Directions
Off I-95: take Exit 17. Take Route 136 north for 9 miles, at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 58; take Route 58 north drive 8.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58.

Off the Merritt Parkway: take Exit 42. Take Route 136 north for 5.2 miles, at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 58; take Route 58 north drive 8.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58.

From the West: off I-84, take Exit 5. Take Route 53 south for 3.4 miles, at Route 53 and Route 302 follow Route 302 east for 1.6 miles. At the intersection of Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 2.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 58 and Route 107.

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Connecticut
7

Connecticut State Parks

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