East Haddam celebrated America’s 250th anniversary on July 11

Guests watched the program in the pews of the historic First Church Meeting House.

By Susan R. Waide

About 350 East Haddam residents and visitors celebrated America’s 250th Anniversary during East Haddam’s signature day-long Semiquincentennial Celebration on July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This memorable event began at the historic First Church Meeting House at 499 Town St. with live music performed by the Moodus Drum & Fife Corps and the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard Band.

East Haddam First Selectman Todd H. Gelston welcomed everyone and read the Town Proclamation. Dr. Karl P. Stofko, East Haddam’s Municipal Historian, presented a brief history of the Declaration of Independence. Steve Pozzato, Lay Minister of First Church of Christ, Congregational, read the Declaration of Independence, followed by patriotic music and a community scroll signing outside. Featured patriotic concerts were performed by the renowned Moodus Drum & Fife Corps and historic First Company Governor’s Foot Guard Band.

Throughout the day, attendees visited activity/exhibit tents sponsored by the American Legion, The East Haddam Historical Society & Museum, East Haddam Land Trust, Friends of the Office of State Archaeology, Indigenous Wangunk People Exhibit, Valley Forge Revolutionary War Float, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cemetery Troopers.

Historic activities for children ages 5–12-years-old took place at the Grange Hall. At George Washington’s Spy School, children learned about colonial espionage while creating invisible ink messages and secret patriotic communications.

At 3 p.m., Dr. Karl P. Stofko led attendees through the gravesites of East Haddam’s Revolutionary War soldiers and members of the Town Committee buried at the historic Revolutionary Cemetery. And for the event’s grand finale, Kandie Carle, Producing Artistic Director of the East Haddam Stage Company, presented “The Drama of Nathan Hale in Movies and on Stage.”

Dr. Karl P. Stofko will led attendees through the gravesites of East Haddam’s Revolutionary War soldiers and members of the Town Committee (Photo Credit: Debbie Langdon)

This event is sponsored by the Town of East Haddam’s USA 250 Celebrations Committee. Todd H. Gelston, East Haddam First Selectman was the East Haddam America’s 250th Steering Committee Chairman. Other committee members included Forrest Anderson, Pamela Champlin, Alison Guinness, Debbie Langdon, Patrick Murray, Terri Anderson-Murray, Alan Ponanski, Lauren Pszczolkowski, Dr. Karl P. Stofko, and Susan R. Waide.

The committee would like to thank all the volunteers and our supporters including Annini Strength and Conditioning, Consumer Reports, Dutch Oil Company, First Church of Christ Congregational, Four Corners Wine & Spirits, Moodus Package Store, The Gelston House Restaurant and Inn, and Two Wrasslin’ Cats.

If you would like to sign the East Haddam scroll, it will be located at the libraries, senior center, and other locations in town. East Haddam Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary Limited Souvenir Edition Book will be for sale at the East Haddam Historical Society, Gillette Castle Gift Shop, and online soon.