Samuel Huntington Commemoration

Honoring a Norwich Founder, Declaration Signer, and National Leader

On July 18 & 19, 2026, Norwich and Scotland, Connecticut will come together for a special Samuel Huntington Weekend honoring one of Connecticut’s most important Revolutionary-era leaders and one of the nation’s most influential yet often overlooked founders.

Samuel Huntington was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a delegate to the Continental Congress, President of the Continental Congress, President of the United States in Congress Assembled, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, and Governor of Connecticut. Though his name is not always as widely recognized as other founders, Huntington played a central role in the creation and early leadership of the United States.

Although born in what is now Scotland, Connecticut, Huntington built much of his public life in Norwich. Trained as a lawyer, he rose through local and colonial leadership before representing Connecticut in the Continental Congress. In 1776, he signed the Declaration of Independence, joining the other delegates who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the cause of American independence.

Huntington’s national leadership continued during one of the most difficult periods of the Revolution. As President of the Continental Congress, he presided over Congress during the approval of the Articles of Confederation. After the Articles took effect, his title became President of the United States in Congress Assembled, a role he held until poor health forced him to resign in 1781.

Following his national service, Huntington returned to Connecticut, where he continued a long career in public office. He became Lieutenant Governor in 1784 and Governor in 1786, serving as Connecticut’s governor until his death in 1796.

Huntington’s story is both local and national. His life reminds us that the founding of the United States was shaped not only in large cities and famous halls, but also in communities like Norwich and Scotland, Connecticut. His leadership connected eastern Connecticut directly to the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress, the Articles of Confederation, and the earliest years of American self-government.

This commemoration will recognize Huntington’s extraordinary contributions to the founding of the United States and highlight his lasting legacy in Norwich, Connecticut, and the nation. By honoring Samuel Huntington, Norwich remembers a local leader whose life of public service helped shape the earliest years of American independence.

Samuel Huntington Weekend

The Samuel Huntington Weekend will invite the public to explore both the beginning and the end of Huntington’s life: from his birthplace in Scotland, Connecticut, to the historic Norwichtown Green area where he lived, worked, worshiped, and was laid to rest.

Saturday, July 18, 2026: Huntington Homestead museum

Visitors will be invited to discover more about Huntington’s early life, family background, education, and path from rural Connecticut to national leadership. This portion of the weekend will help place Huntington’s public accomplishments in the context of his beginnings and the community that shaped his early years.

The Homestead program will offer an opportunity to reflect on how a young man from eastern Connecticut became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a leader in the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.

Sunday, July 19, 2026: Wreath Laying Ceremony in Norwich

The ceremony will begin on the historic Norwichtown Green, where Huntington’s legacy remains deeply connected to the landscape of the community. Following the opening ceremony, attendees will proceed to Huntington’s gravesite for a commemorative wreath laying.

After the wreath laying, attendees will be invited to take part in a walking tour of the Huntington homes around the Norwichtown Green, exploring the places associated with Huntington and his family.

This Norwich commemoration will honor Huntington not only as a national founder, but as a local figure whose life and public service were rooted in this historic community.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, Samuel Huntington Weekend invites residents and visitors to remember one of Connecticut’s most influential founders and to reflect on Norwich’s important place in the story of American independence.