The Town of Vernon, the America 250 Committee and the New England Civil War Museum launch the local celebration of America 250 on Saturday with a historical program in Central Park and town hall.
The event is free and open to all.
The program begins at 10 a.m. and will feature living historians representing “Soldiers and Sailors Across Time.” The living historians will represent periods from the American Revolution through the Vietnam War.
America 250 is a nationwide program to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and communities across Connecticut and the nation are planning events to mark the semiquincentennial of America’s founding document on July 4, 2026.
Saturday’s event in Vernon will feature living historians representing soldiers and sailors from the revolution (including both continental soldiers and loyalists), the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War II, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Park Place in front of Town Hall will be closed to traffic, but there is plenty of parking nearby.
Mayor Dan Champagne and Niki Rittenhouse, chair of Vernon’s America 250 Committee, will speak at 11:30 a.m. near the entrance to town hall.
The keynote speaker is Professor Hamish Lutris, who will speak at noon in the council chambers on the third floor of town hall about Connections to the Revolution.
Other speakers include Jean Luddy of the Vernon Historical Society and Professor Don Rogers of Vernon. Other organizations exhibiting include the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Vernon Historical Society, Strong Family Farm and the Vernon Volunteers Collaborative.