“The Militia Is Coming!”
September 20th 2025
Sherman Celebrates History in Living Color
Sherman, Conn. — Under a flawless blue sky this Saturday, Sherman is stepping back in time. The cobblestones of memory are alive, the crack of rifles rings out, and parking lots are filling fast. At the Sherman Historical Society’s Cobbler Shop Field, reenactors in tricorn hats and waistcoats have assembled for “The Militia Is Coming!” — a Revolutionary War reenactment marking the society’s 50th anniversary.
A Day of Pageantry and Firepower
From 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., the field has transformed into a colonial encampment. Three militia groups — the 5th Connecticut Regiment, Ye Olde Lebanon Towne Militia Co. 1775, and the 38th Regiment of Foot (Britain’s 1st Staffordshires) — are camped here, preparing for drills, skirmishes, and cannon fire. Demonstrations run the gamut: children are trying their hands at musket drills, blacksmiths forge metal, beekeepers tend hives, and colonial cooking fills the air with yeast and smoke.
A highlight: a staged battle between colonial and British forces, complete with volleys of musket and cannon fire that echo across the fields. Visitors are cautioned: yes, it’s loud. Ear protection is strongly recommended — especially for young children.
Crowds, Community, and Camera Lenses
As the morning progresses, cars are spilling into overflow lots: Colonial Park, the lot behind the school, Veterans Field, even Sherman Green, with clearly posted signage guiding the way. Local volunteers and town staff are directing traffic. The atmosphere is festive. Costumed children scamper between stations; families picnic under shade trees; cameras — both professional and phone-based — are held aloft.
The Great Hollow Photographers Club has set up a photo contest tied to today’s event, encouraging attendees to capture moments of drama, craftsmanship, and community. Winners will be exhibited in the Sherman Library early next year.
Honoring the Past, With a Nod to Today
There is more than re-enactment here. Craftspeople are not merely showing tools; they’re reviving forgotten trades. Colonial fashion shows, displays of flags, cooking methods from the 1700s — it’s as much about cultural memory as spectacle. Roger Sherman, patriot and namesake, is “present” in spirit, appearing in costume and in story.
Admission is free, vendors offer food, there’s a costume photo booth, and plenty of educational value. It’s a community day: young and old sharing in the wonder of a story much bigger than any one person.
What This Means for Sherman
Today isn’t just an event. It’s a marker: of how Sherman remembers; of how townspeople connect across generations. In reenacting battle lines, in demonstrating old trades, in gathering together under the same sky, this event underscores Sherman’s ongoing relationship with its history.
For many, this is a reminder: history isn’t locked in books. It lives in sound, in smell, in the heft of a musket, in the warmth of hearths long cold. And here today, for a few hours, the past lives again.
Related Stories
Candlewood Lake Auth Closes Islands
Beginning Friday, August 29, all public islands on Candlewood Lake will be closed to visitors.
2025 Sherman Children's Events have Arrived!
Tiny Tots Soccer at Colonial Field to Children’s Pickleball at Volunteer Park, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for young residents.
Sherman Pickleball is Alive!
With pickleball rapidly gaining popularity in Sherman and across the country, local players pushed for a permanent space to play.