Governor Ned Lamont today announced CT250, a statewide initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, launched at the historic Old State House in Hartford. This program will unite Connecticut's 169 municipalities through a diverse calendar of events, educational programs, and community celebrations.
Connecticut played a pivotal role in the nation's founding, earning the moniker "Provision State" for supplying critical resources to the Continental Army. Governor Jonathan Trumbull was the only incumbent colonial governor to openly support the Patriot cause, and the state contributed an estimated 40,000 troops to the fight.
Signature events include a Nationwide Bell Ringing and a Recommitment Ceremony on July 4th, alongside the Hartford Bonanza at Bushnell Park, featuring the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and fireworks. Other commemorations include Greenwich Celebrates America's 250th, the Deep River Muster, and the CT Maritime Heritage Festival.
Further programming will highlight diverse contributions, including those of farmers, artisans, women, and over 800 African American and Native American soldiers. The America 250 | CT Commission, chaired by former Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill and administered by CT Humanities, leads the initiative. Merrill said, "This is a once-in-a-generation moment for Connecticut to share our extraordinary Revolutionary story and the role it played in shaping American democracy."
Connecticut State Historian Andy Horowitz, Ph.D., noted the anniversary offers "an occasion to retell enduring stories and discover newly relevant ones." The initiative aims to attract visitors, positioning Connecticut as a premier destination for heritage tourism. Morgan Nyerick, Connecticut Director of Statewide Marketing and Tourism, said, "CT250 gives us the opportunity to bring that to life – to invite people to experience the state not just as part of the nation’s founding, but as a place where that story still feels present."