About
The site of the largest Revolutionary War battle fought in Connecticut.
The site of a 1781 British massacre, led by Benedict Arnold, of colonial militia. Original 1775 fort ramparts still there, outstanding view of harbor.
Mission: The purpose of the Friends of Fort Griswold is to work to preserve, restore, maintain, and promote the historic value, earthworks, buildings, and grounds, known as Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in cooperation with the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
In October 1994 a number of individuals with interest in Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to help preserve and maintain the history of the fort.
On May 3, 1995, the group called the Friends of Fort Griswold was incorporated to raise funds to preserve this historic Revolutionary War site.
Causes we support: We promote the preservation of a Revolutionary War Battlefield, including earthworks, buildings, grounds, monument and museum. Past projects include repairs to the Groton Monument, and the purchase of fiberglass flagpoles, computer and digital camera, and a museum inventory program. We have also operated a Beautification Program, a Junior Docent Program, School Tours, Op Sail Tours, and Education Programs by providing funding for supplies and small repairs to the fort. We have also purchased and preserved documents related to the building and history of the fort. In 2006, we purchased museum-quality mannequins to display our two reproduction Revolutionary War uniforms. More recently, we have paid for a granite outline of the barracks, a viewing platform, and new signage throughout the park.
The next project on our horizon is a two-day commemoration of the Battle of Groton Heights in September of 2021. We hope to hold an event with an encampment of reenactors, drill demonstrations, sutlers, a fife & drum muster, artillery demonstrations, speakers, and our annual candlelight ceremony to honor and remember the defenders of the fort.
