Connecticut State Route 169
Brooklyn Green, CT

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Israel Putnam Memorial (CT) [1]

The Brooklyn Green holds its own little cluster of history, and visitors are welcome to explore as they travel through Brooklyn on SR-169. Few places in historic New England have 5 churches on the same green combined with several other historic sites. Places on the Brooklyn Green include:

• The Library: The library was built in 1822 for the Windham County Bank. In 1913, it was converted to a library.
• Israel Putnam Statue: Israel Putnam was a general of the French and Indian Wars as well as the Revolutionary War where he played a key role in the Battle of Bunker Hill. According to legend, he advised his soldiers: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." The statue was erected in 1887.
• Commemorative Stone to Israel Putnam: The bronze plaque on this boulder indicates the site of the General Wolfe Tavern which was operated by Israel Putnam and his wife.
• Daniel Putnam Tyler Law Office: The great-grandson of Israel Putnam had his law office in this building from 1822 to 1875. He had a colorful career as a judge, legislator, political orator, and attorney.
• Meeting House: This building began as a Congregational Meeting House in 1771, but in 1819, the Congregationalists lost the building to the Unitarians in a congregational schism. It became the state's first Unitarian Society in 1882.
• Trinity Episcopal Church: This church was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1866. The four stained glass windows were made in New York by a descendant of the Brooklyn mill owners.
• Town Hall: In 1820, this building served as the County Courthouse for Windham County. Prudence Crandall was tried here for opening a school for "little misses of color."