The Rockets’ Red Glare
The War of 1812 in Connecticut: A Bicentennial Exhibit
July 6, 2012 through December 2012

The War of 1812 was not some distant event to the people of southeastern Connecticut. Five museums and historical societies in southeastern Connecticut have joined together to collaborate on an exhibition to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The exhibit will be on view at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum from 6 July 2012 through December 2012.

With artifacts from each of the partners: the Stonington Historical Society, Mystic Seaport, the New London County Historical Society, the New London Maritime Society, and the Lyman Allyn, as well as items from other museums and private collections, the exhibit will share the stories of the impact of the War of 1812 on the region and the State.

Commodore Stephen Decatur, the hero of Tripoli, who earlier in the war won additional renown with his victory over the British ship Macedonian, sailed into the Thames to escape British pursuers and his fleet spent the rest of the war here, trapped by the British blockade. Commerce was completely shut off; even fishermen were not safe leaving port. The same enemy who had burned down New London and massacred sons, brothers and fathers at Fort Griswold just thirty years before, was visible every day patrolling the Sound. While the British did not attack up the Thames, in 1814 they staged a daring raid on Pettipaug (now Essex), and later bombarded Stonington for four days. In one of few victories for the American militia, the defenders of Stonington succeeded in keeping British marines from landing.

Artifacts such as the 12’ x 19’ American flag that flew over the defenders in Stonington will be featured in the exhibit. An accompanying book will include images from the exhibit as well as a series of essays examining the war through the lens of Connecticut’s experience – how the conflict came about, naval affairs on Long Island Sound, and the long term impacts of the war.

This war, which few in the northeast supported, restored unrestricted maritime commerce and provided a spur to American manufacturing, both very important to Connecticut and her sister New England states. Victories were celebrated by Connecticut residents and people throughout the nation, inspiring patriotism and helping to create an American identity; even a National Anthem.

The Rockets’ Red Glare ~ The War of 1812 in Connecticut
Opens: 6 July 2012 at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Exhibit Curator: Fred Calabretta, Curator of Collections at Mystic Seaport
Exhibit Catalog Editor: Glenn Gordinier, Robert G. Albion Historian at Mystic Seaport,
with essays from Fred Calabretta, Nancy Steenburg, James Tertius De Kay, and Frances Caulkins
Supported: By grants from the Connecticut Humanities Council, and the Coby Foundation

For additional information contact:
Project Director: Edward Baker, New London County Historical Society edward@newlondonhistory.org 860.443.1209