The Governors Guards also known as The Connecticut Foot Guard (State Defense Force) recently participated in The 248th Anniversary of Powder House Day. This historic day marks Connecticut’s entry in The American Revolution.

Upon hearing of The first shots of The American Revolution being fired in the towns of Lexington & Concord, members of The Connecticut Foot Guard formed up and voted to join The American Army sieging The British in Boston. The term Powder House Day is derived from when the troops marched to the local tavern to request the keys to The Powder House where the ammunition, powder and other military supplies were stored. Once the supplies were distributed the Foot Guard then began the march to Cambridge to join The American Army that was forming there and in doing so began The American Revolution.

The First and Second Companies of The Governors Foot Guard participated in the ceremony by hosting a reenactment of ​“The Demand of The Keys”, which included marching the historic route, and a salute by musket volley.

To learn more about Powder Day, here is an article from The New Haven Independent Newspaper:

An Amazing — & ​“Ordinary” — Powder House Day

by DAVID SEPULVEDA | Apr 23, 2013 1:26 pm

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DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTO

Officers prepare for the Battalion Review.

 

The Governor’s Foot Guard program read in part, ​“RE-ENACTMENT — DEMANDING THEKEYS TO THE POWDER HOUSE OF SELECTMEN ON MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1775.”

 

But don’t call them re-enactors. At least not in the presence of Major Commandant Gary W. Stegina, who Saturday commanded the Second Company of the Governor’s Foot Guard of Connecticut in the 238th annual observance known as Powder House Day on the New Haven Green.

 

Captain Greenalch with Major Commandant Stegina.

 

“We are not re-enactors — we are the real deal,” said Commandant Stegina in acknowledgement of the fact that while the Second Governor’s Foot Guard does engage in historical re-enactments and important ceremonial functions, ​“technically, under the Connecticut Gen. Statutes, the four militia units are considered ​‘organized militia’ and part of the ​‘Armed Forces of the State of Connecticut of which the National Guard is a part.’” The work of the Second Company throughout the state far exceeds the pomp and ceremony often associated with the unit and resulted in over 20,000 volunteer hours donated to the state in 2012.

 

Ordinary partner Tim Cabral receives the plaque.

 

“Powder House Day celebrates Benedict Arnold and the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard who, in reaction to British attacks on Colonists in Massachusetts, were the first signed, organized unit to rebel against the British at the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775,” wrote New Haven historian and Taste of New Haven owner Colin M. Caplan. Caplan helped organize Saturday’s Powder House Day events, which culminated in a brief ceremony at Ordinary, the recently restored site of the former Richter’s Cafe, and home to various New Haven hotels throughout its history.

 

Detail of Caplan’s Timeline depicting Benedict Arnold.

 

Ordinary is also the original site of Beers Tavern, where Benedict Arnold is said to have demanded the keys to the powder house as he mobilized the New Haven militia for its march to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the Revolution was joined.

Much of the drama of that celebrated day and other historical events and people are captured in a visual timeline created by Caplan and installed in a back area of Ordinary. Caplan noted the timeliness of the Powder House Day event in the wake of the tragic events in Boston, and the exemplary way in which the community has come together in a spirit of mutual support — ​“not unlike the early patriots who left New Haven in support of fellow colonists in Massachusetts.”

 

Battalion Review ceremony with Fife and Drum marchers.

 

Powder House Day proceedings Saturday began at City Hall for ​“The Demand of The Keys” ceremony followed by a procession to Center Church on the Green and a service that included the ​“Departure of the Command” and sermon by Reverend Mister John Depastino. The Battalion Review, conducted on the lower Green, was a visually stunning display of formality, punctuated by sharp verbal commands of officers, presentations and the patriotic sounds of the fife and drum and Field Music Corps band.

 

Governor’s Food Guard en route to Ordinary for the final ceremony.

 

Crossing diagonally on the upper Green, the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard headed to Ordinary, the final destination, for a presentation to the bar’s owners of a special plaque commemorating Powder House Day— an artifact that will add to the bar’s thick, historical ambiance.

 

Cheng displays Tricorn craft and a Benedict Doll.

 

Outside Ordinary, New Haven Museum Education Director Michelle Cheng was helping to celebrate Powder House Day and New Haven’s history with an array of crafts for children, and displays that included a two-sided Benedict Arnold doll — one side bearing a red uniform, the other, blue. The doll, which is hand-made in New Haven, is available at the New Haven Museum, along with a slate of programs for school groups, individuals and families, ​“designed to connect New Haven’s history in a fun way,” according to Cheng.

 

Toasting the Commandant and the day’s festivities.

 

Inside Ordinary, tall glasses of gold, amber and frothy dark beers were raised in celebration of another successful Powder House Day celebration. Veteran Second Company member and Captain Albert Edwards, who believes there is another side and story to the vilification of Benedict Arnold as a traitor, joined the Company in 1971. He said he continues to enjoy the history and camaraderie associated with the Foot Guard and is proud of the Company’s contributions.

 

Captain Richard Greenalch underscored the Second Company’s outreach efforts in recruiting new members for its Rifle Companies, Field Music Unit and Marching Band. ​“No military experience is required and membership is open to both men and women,” he noted. As the Second Company website admonishes on its recruitment page, ​“Be a Part of History.” Along with the specialized training, members are issued a real uniform, (not a costume) supplied by Connecticut’s Military Department, which may include the uniform’s most distinguishing feature, the ​“Shako” — or, in civilian parlance, the towering bear skin hat that is a symbol of this unique service organization. To learn more about the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard, visit the website.

Here are a few photos of the event from The Connecticut National Guard:

Yesterday, Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard hosted the state militia in New Haven to commemorate Powder House Day. This reenactment honors the events of April 24, 1775 when Captain Benedict Arnold summoned his men and demanded the key’s to New Haven’s powder house before marching for Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reverend Jonathan Edwards invited the men inside of his church in an effort to quell the tension and pray over the men prior to their departure.

And some photos from The Connecticut Foot Guard:

May 1, 2023 was the start of a busy month for the 2nd Company. With extended day light hours upon us, preparation for our annual Powder House Day celebration continued outside. (Powder House Day is Saturday May 6, 2023 on the New Haven Green). Upon our return to the Armory MAJ John Garcia swore in a class of new recruits. Congratulations to Kevin Chapin, Allan Cope, Liz Conolly, Clay Bartolotta, Kenneth Conolly, and Lou Fappiano. In addition promotions were awarded including the new Company First Sergeant Victor Antonio and the promotion of Mark Otterson to the rank of Command Segeant Major. Congratulations to all the new recruits and those who received promotions!

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The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard had the honor of taking part in Powder House Day with the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard.

We were joined by the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands, Brigadier General Hedenberg, Brigadier General (ret) Horan, as well as other dignitaries.

On April 22, 1775, the first Commandant of the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard, Benedict Arnold, demanded the keys to New Haven’s powder house after the news of the fighting at Lexington, Massachusetts was known.

We congratulate our sister unit on their 248th anniversary of service to the State of Connecticut.

Sources: New Haven Independent –  New Haven Register – Connecticut National Guard – Connecticut Foot Guard Second Company – Connecticut Foot Guard First Company