The Naugatuck History Museum is inviting the public to take part in a new free lecture and program series marking America’s 250th anniversary. Titled Stories That Shaped a Nation, the series explores Connecticut’s role in the American Revolution through music, personal stories, material culture, and big ideas that continue to shape civic life today.
Held monthly from March through August 2026, the programs are open to all and designed to appeal to lifelong learners, families, and anyone interested in local and regional history. Each event highlights a different perspective on the Revolutionary era, connecting statewide and national events to lived experiences in Connecticut.
The series opens on Sunday, March 22, with What a Glorious Crash They Made Musick of Connecticut’s Revolution, presented by historian and musician Richard Franklin Donohue. The program brings Revolutionary era songs and hymns to life while exploring how music helped cultivate ideas of freedom and resistance.
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On Sunday, April 19, historian John Dwyer presents Revolutionary Portraits Minutemen Patriots and Tories, examining how loyalty and division affected families and communities in the Naugatuck Valley during the Revolution.
The May program, The Web They Wove Women and Their Wardrobes during New England’s Revolution, takes place on Sunday, May 17. Costumed historians from The Dirty Blue Shirts use clothing and textiles to tell the story of women’s labor, resilience, and daily life during wartime.
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On Sunday, June 14, Dr. Francis Michael Coan presents The Summer of 1779 The Coastal Raids on Connecticut, focusing on British attacks along the shoreline and the movement of General Washington’s army through the Naugatuck Valley, including stops at sites still standing today.
The series continues on Sunday, July 19, with Liberty and the American Experience, led by Professor Hamish Lutris. This talk explores how the idea of liberty has evolved since 1776 and how debates over rights, law, and civic responsibility continue to shape American life.
The final program, Rough Medicine The Medicine and Surgery of the American Revolution, takes place on Sunday, August 23. Presented by Dr. Ray Sullivan, the interactive program features authentic medical tools and remedies, offering a vivid look at healthcare, survival, and community care during the Revolutionary era.
All programs begin at 2 pm and are held at the Naugatuck History Museum. Admission is free, and the museum offers accessible parking, wheelchair access, and non gendered restrooms. The museum is located close to public transportation.
The Stories That Shaped a Nation series is part of the museum’s broader America 250 initiative, which seeks to highlight inclusive stories and encourage public engagement with Connecticut’s Revolutionary history.
More information can be found on the Naugatuck History Museum website and Facebook page.
