The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-17
PUTNAM CAMP IS
 TO BE RESTORED
Cabins to Be Built and Grounds Restored as Me morial.

The Israel Putnam Memorial Camp ground Commission, appointed by the late Governor George L. Lilley to re- store and preserve the old campground in Redding aud Bethel, has adopted the suggestions made by Superintend- ent of Parks George A. Parker of Hartford. for the deveiopnnent and care of the grounds Superintendent Parker's plans are as follows:
 These grounds are for memorial purpose and to inspire patriotism Everythins that will emphasize and cherish this spirit should be done, avoided and rejected These grounds should be preserved, Test we forget" The tendency has been to look upon this place as a public park and in consider what is desirable for pub lie park, or recreation grounds. Now shat is what Putnam Camp is not. True it has, in common with parks, trees. shrubs, lawns. roads. paths and the general appearance of n rural park. Its opposes are distinct from park purposes. Therefore my sug- gestion here is that nothing pertain ing to the nature of picnic grounds. or amusement. be allowed on any part of. or approximate to. that section of the grounds occupied by the old camp; that no buildings of any kind be erected. tool-houses. compost piles, or domestic animals. cows or fowls be
 
 our everyday life be kept out. The house and grounds of the park keeper should be limited as possible and have him comfortable.
 churches. other organizations. neigh borhoods and families to use the campgrounds for picnic purposes This custom Is wen established and it would be a hardship to forbid it; neither is it desirable, for then the Na Qh hn m those who go there for a picnic pure and simple would wander over the campgrounds and could receive the knowledge and inspiration which 1t is the object of the grounds to impart- In point of fact. the more picnics held there the better for the puprose of the camp. But this should always be kept in mind, that the picnic grounds should be distinct from the camp grounds. proper My suggestion here Is. that the picnic grounds be restrict ed to lands bounded on the north by the road leading to the keepers house. on the east by public roads; on the south by Brewster's Grove and including the grove; and on the west eby the rocky ridge and the stream running west of the pavilion This section is outside of the main entrance gate. which with the ridge separated 1t from the campground proper, and should be given over frankly for pie nic purposes and fitted up with seats. tables, swings, teeters. giant stride. paneIled bars, quoits court and such simple games as the grounds will al- low. Unfortunately the grounds are not large enough for baseball and similar games requiring large area or special preparati9ns-
 The greatest historical value would be to have the grounds as nearly as possible in the same condition as when the soldiers were there. This volue has been largely destroyed by the so-caIled improvement of the grounds. Whatever now still remains undisturbed should be most carefully guarded and cared for.
 My suggestion here isp that a search be made until it has been determined what the campground was. as laid out by General Putnam, a map of the same drawn, and so much of the camp rebuilt as can be done without injury to what now exists. sor having SO. much of it rebuilt as will give a clear conception of how the soldiers lived, and their environment. This believe to be possible and should be carried out even if 1t undoes some of the things which have already been done. but before discussing what the effect would be on the present layout of the camp. 1t seems best to first reproduce. a map of the camp as 1t was.
 General Putnam built the camp from material found on the ground, The camp should be rebuilt from the