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America's Tapestry

Connecticut

Stories from the Provision State
Connecticut
Status: In Production

This artwork captures Connecticut's critical role as the "Provision State" during the Revolutionary War. The scene highlights the state's contributions to the Continental Army, including Salisbury's cannon foundries, which produced 80% of the cannons used by the army, and the marble quarries in Canaan, as marble was utilized as a fluxing agent during the smelting process. Charcoal pits are depicted, essential for fueling foundry furnaces, alongside East Haven's saltworks, where salt—a vital resource for preserving food—was manufactured. The sprawling farms emphasize Connecticut farmers' role in supplying meat and provisions to sustain the troops.

In the foreground, Hannah Bunce Watson is shown at work on her husband's newspaper, The Connecticut Courant, which she inherited after his death. At just 27 years old, Watson became one of America's first female publishers, using the paper to advocate for the patriot cause and disseminate revolutionary news. Soldiers of the 7th Connecticut Regiment appear in the upper right corner, including Prince Simbo, an African American who fought for liberty alongside white & Black soldiers. In the upper background stands Jonathan Trumbull's War Office in Lebanon, known as "The Pentagon of the Revolution," where pivotal meetings were held to coordinate military and logistical efforts. This artwork beautifully integrates Connecticut's industrial, agricultural, and human contributions to America's fight for independence.