Seymour Library welcomes back the historian John Cilio. Mr. Cilio will be telling of Connecticut's much beloved symbol of the Colony: The Charter Oak.

Connecticut's Charter Oak, an enormous white oak tree located in Hartford, stood from at least the 13th century until a storm felled the oak in 1856. In 1662, Connecticut was recognized as a British colony, and the resulting Charter legitimized the State and granted it autonomy and independence from British rule. In 1687 when the British governor of New England attempted to revoke the Connecticut Colony's original charter, a group of colonial leaders hid the charter within the hollow trunk of this oak tree.

The daring concealment defied Britain's authoritarian rule and preserved Connecticut's self-rule until 1692, when the threat ended. This incident established the protective Oak as a potent symbol of Connecticut's liberty and democracy.

Join Connecticut historian John Cilio as he discusses this early and important example of Connecticut's cultural identity.

Call the Library at 203-888-3903 for more information on this program. Registration is not necessary for this program.