Redding’s Revolutionary Years: America @ 250 (Virtual)

Registration Required Below

As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, Redding’s co-historians present a fascinating look at the town during one of the most consequential decades in American history.

Co-historians Bruce Nelson and Brent Colley discuss the everyday lives of Reddingites during the mid-18th century, and how those lives were upended by political tensions and, eventually, the outbreak of the Revolution. Through stories, letters and newspaper accounts, learn how the Revolution unfolded at the local level, and how those stories fit into the broader history of our nation.

This presentation will take place both in-person, at the Library, and virtually, over Zoom. For the optimal experience, we recommend attending programs in-person. Register for the virtual event by scrolling to the registration form below and a Zoom link will be emailed the day of the program. Include a cell for a text reminder. 

About Our Speakers

Brent Colley grew up in Redding and comes from a family that called this town home for five generations. Brent is Redding’s co-historian and created and maintains the town’s comprehensive online resource: historyofredding.net. Colley leads walking tours, slide shows and speaking engagements that showcase the people, places, and events that have enriched the histories and shaped the landscapes of Branchville, Georgetown, and Redding. 

Bruce Nelson is a Redding native and its co-historian. Director of Research at the Historical Society of Easton, Bruce has won eight awards for Excellence in Journalism from the Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, for articles published in The Easton Courier. Bruce is also a publisher and an author at Sport Hill Books.

In 2019, Bruce and Brent co-authored the book The Revolution Comes to Redding, a fictional narrative that brings to life actual events that occurred in town during the Revolutionary War. Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the talk. Brent and Bruce have also co-founded the Redding Connecticut History Project where they have curated over 3,000 documents and photos related to Redding history.

History Close to Home is an occasional series delving into the unique and fascinating history of both Redding and the Nutmeg State. Whether you’re a newcomer to Redding, or an old-timer, this series offers opportunities to learn more about our collective stories and shared past.