America's 250 Norwich Committee details monuments, programs and $50,000 Sachem Fund support
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Summary
The America's 250 Norwich Committee outlined plans for monuments, interpretive markers, a Primus mural, tree plantings and community events to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and said it has received $50,000 from the Sachem Fund to support installations and programming.
The America's 250 Norwich Committee presented plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Norwich, describing a mix of monuments, public art, educational programs and community events that organizers say will be both inclusive and long-lasting. Janine Galette, co-chair of the local committee, described four themes guiding the effort: the power of place, "We the People," doing history and telling inclusive stories.
"We aim to bring awareness and inclusive recognition to the major aspects of Norwich history," Galette said, noting projects that range from a Liberty Pole on Norwich Town Green to student exhibits and community-made quilts. Carrie Wall, the committee's program coordinator, outlined physical projects including the Liberty Pole, two Liberty trees to be planted at Bean Hill and Howard T. Brown Park as part of a national tree program, and permanent interpretive markers at historic sites such as Norwich Town Cemetery.
Wall described a planned permanent mural honoring Primus, an enslaved man who later gained his freedom and whose family served the nation. The mural will involve local artists, a community paint day on April 18 and an unveiling targeted for May 9. Wall said the mural will include interpretive text and will be installed as a lasting public monument.
Bill Champagne, a co-chair, said the committee received $50,000 from the Sachem Fund, a city–tribal initiative, and displayed a chart explaining how the grant will be used to support monument installations, markers and programming. "This chart shows how we are using the $50,000 we received from the Sachem Fund," Champagne said.
Committee leaders listed upcoming events and partnerships: a student exhibit at Slater Memorial Museum, a Declaration of Independence reading planned for July 8 at City Hall, a Samuel Huntington commemorative weekend with activities at the Huntington Homestead, and a community celebration on or around July 5 that organizers said residents will help name. Galette said students at Norwich Free Academy are transcribing and translating period newspapers to create public-facing booklets and panels.
Council members and attendees asked about outreach and partnerships with local historical repositories; committee members said they have invited Robert Lessee (a board member of the referenced collection) and that local contacts receive committee emails and invitations. Alderman Sheila Hayes asked for dates and locations to be shared with the mayor's office for wider dissemination; Galette said an upcoming regional meeting of the Connecticut America's 250 initiative is scheduled at Otis Library on March 16.
Alderman Zato Karambaya praised the committee's youth engagement and asked whether the group could leave a legacy item for the city's 500th anniversary; committee members said they would discuss possibilities with the city council.
The presentation concluded with the mayor thanking the committee and temporarily adjourning for an eight-minute break. The committee urged residents to consult the Otis Library Declaration exhibit and to contact organizers for volunteer and partnership opportunities.
