May 16, 2026: A Revolution of Her Own! Portrayal of Deborah Sampson
A dramatic portrayal entitled “A Revolution of Her Own!™ Deborah Sampson” will take place in the sanctuary of the West Avon Congregational Church.
Sampson was the first woman to fight in, and be honorably discharged from, the American military after serving, as a man,
for one and a half years in the American Revolution. Sampson’s life began as an indentured servant growing up in a man’s world where women were treated as second-class citizens. She was self-educated but felt a strong urge to fight for liberty, enlisting as Robert Shurtlieff in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army.
The performance, by Judith Kalaora of History at Play LLC™, will take place in the sanctuary of the West Avon Congregational Church, a historic 1818 meetinghouse in what is the geographic center of Avon, CT.
May 17, 2026: Honor Roll of the Northingmen Men Who Served in the American Revolution
Join us on Sunday, May 17th, 12:00 pm for a Commemoration and Grave Marking event at the West Avon Cemetery, adjacent to the West Avon Congregational Church. The event will feature the unveiling of a plaque entitled “Honor Roll of Northington Men Who Served in the American Revolution 1775-1783.” The plaque contains the names of 80 men from Northington, the original name of Avon, who fought for liberty and justice in the emerging new nation. A reading of the roll call honoring these brave patriots will be done by members of the Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth Branch No. 7, CT Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Abigail Phelps Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Simsbury, and the Ruth Wyllys Chapter of DAR in Hartford. Seven of the men on the plaque are buried in West Avon Cemetery. The DAR members present will install commemorative 250 flags at their gravesites while a brief history of each soldier is read. The Honor Roll plaque is sponsored by the M&T Charitable Foundation. A reception will follow in the church. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held in the church sanctuary.
In case you missed the event, a PDF copy of the booklet is available at this link.
June 15, 2026: Through Billy Lee’s Eyes
Renowned storyteller Andre Keitt portrays William (Billy) Lee, an American enslaved man who was the personal assistant of George Washington, before, during, and after the American Revolution. “Billy Lee, ” began serving Washington as a young boy, stood by his side as a valuable servant until he was an elderly man. He was the only one of Washington’s slaves freed immediately by Washington’s will. Mr. Keitt brings a unique insight into his story, life and relationships.
July 4, 2026: Ringing the Church Bell
The Avon Congregational Church & Avon’s America 250, with Pastor Chris Solimene, UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST
8 East Main Street, Avon, CT (860) 678-0488
Ringing the Church Bell 13 times (one for each colony). From the church lawn, July 4, 2026. 2:00 p.m. Free.
Contact: Nora Howard at [email protected]
July 8, 2026: Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Meet the Connecticut signers! On July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read in public for the first time. Now, 250 years later, Avon invites you to experience the historic moment together. Join us for an interactive community reading featuring the descendants of Connecticut's four signers of the Declaration - Roger Sherman, William Williams, Samuel Huntington, and Oliver Wolcott. The event will take place in the Avon Senior Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm
July 9, 2026: When the Connecticut River Decided the Revolution
We know that the CT River divides Red Sox and Yankee fans, but did you know it also determined Connecticut’s revolutionary outlook? There existed in the colony a distinct East of the River, West of the River outlook on everything from economics to religion to land availability, all of which shaped a violent and politically driven revolt on the part of the East.
Matthew Warshauer is a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, where he has studied and written extensively on what he calls “the American paradox,” the conflicting ideological beliefs and practices of the United States. Learn more here.
This is the first in a series of three; please register for each event separately.
Series funded by Pat Moran, and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center.
Please register, so we can set the community room up with appropriate seating.
July 16, 2026: Connecticut’s Declaration of Independence
Did you know that Connecticut has it’s own Declaration of Independence? Did you know that its timing was unique to the larger events going on in June of 1776 and reflected the quickly changing sentiments of the day. The Connecticut Courant and the pamphlet “Common Sense” played a significant role in shaping the push for independence in Connecticut.
This is the second in a series of three; please register for each event separately.
THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE WEST AVON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Series funded by Pat Moran, and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center.
Please register, so we can set the community room up with appropriate seating.
July 23, 2026: The American Revolution Wasn’t Fueled by Water! Rum, Cider, and the Punch of Independence”
The bottle says it all: “Samuel Adams, Brewer * Patriot.” And though “Sam the Maltster” wasn’t particularly business savvy, his attention to the Sons of Liberty and American independence went far beyond his fleeting attempts at brewing. Fortunately, there were plenty of other opportunities to quaff the large quantities of alcoholic beverages that fueled the fire of revolution. Join Dr. Matt Warshauer, professor of history at Central CT State University, for an intriguing exploration of how the American Revolution was plotted in taverns.
This is the third in a series of three; please register for each event separately.
Series funded by Pat Moran, and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center.
Please register, so we can set the community room up with appropriate seating.
