Vernon is celebrating America 250 with historical presentations in June, an added element to the July in the Sky fireworks on July 8 and concert by the 102nd Army Band to kick off the mayor’s summer concert series.
Vernon 250 Committee members Donald Rogers, a retired history professor, and Jean Luddy, Vernon’s town historian and director of the Vernon Historical Society Museum, will offer two programs about revolutionary times in what was then known as North Bolton. (Vernon was not established as a town until 1808.)
Both programs will be in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 14 Park Place. They are free and open to the public.
The first program, on Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. is called “Future Vernon and the Road to American Independence,” and it focuses on the history of North Bolton, how the revolutionary fervor took hold as a result of British tax policies, and the involvement of citizens in anti-British protests and their ultimate support for independence.
The second program is Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. and is called "Future Vernon and the American Revolutionary War," and will examine state and national events, then focus on North Bolton men and women who responded to the call to battle and others who stayed home and supported the war effort.
The program will illuminate many stories about the hardships that North Bolton residents endured during the war and the lives of indigenous and enslaved people who lived in town during this era. The talk will highlight the many social changes the war brought to North Bolton, and will conclude with stories of later Vernon celebrations of the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the nation’s foundational document.
On July 8, during the July in the Sky fireworks there will be an added element to the fireworks show marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The rain date for July in the Sky is July 9.
On July 30, the 102nd Connecticut Army National Guard band will perform the first concert of the mayor’s summer concert series on the McCoy baseball field at Henry Park. The concert is free and all are welcome.