Community Corner

Historical Societies Launch Website For War Of 1812 Bicentennial

New London County Historical Society partners with other organizations to launch multi-part exhibition

 

The has announced the launch of a website highlighting the role of Connecticut and local communities in the War of 1812.

The website went up on Monday, the 200th anniversary of the official start of the war between the United States and Great Britain. The features of the website include information on the ships and people involved in the conflict, a timeline of the war, and stories on Connecticut incidents.

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The effort is a partnership between the New London County Historical Society, Mystic Seaport, the Stonington Historical Society, the , and the . The organizations have all cooperated to establish the bicentennial exhibition "The Rockets' Red Glare," which includes a book on the state's role in the war and an exhibit set to open at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum on July 6. This opening will coincide with 's visit to the region.

Edward Baker, executive director of the New London County Historical Society, said the intent of the website is to share information as broadly as possible and give a sense of what it was like to live in a time when the state saw frequent skirmishes with the British.

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“If you search through most books on the War of 1812 and look for references to Connecticut you won’t find many," said Baker. "But if you look at our website and check just the listing of British ships stationed off of New London, you’ll see this was not a minor effort.”

A grant from the funded the website. The book and exhibition are being supported by grants from the Connecticut Humanities Council, the Coby Foundation and the Edgard and Geraldine Feder Foundation.

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