The Revolutionary Walk (stroller friendly)

This tour offers self guided audio

Perfect for parents with children in a stroller or on small bicycles, this walk is entirely on flat terrain and sidewalks, with no roads to cross. Take a stroll past some of our intriguing historical sites from Revolutionary times, including a school and playground named after one of only six men, a Connecticut resident, who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Roger Sherman.

Starting & Finishing Point: Parking Lot behind Sullivan Independence Hall

Address: 725 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 - Sullivan Independence Hall is down the driveway from Fairfield’s Old Town Hall.

Distance: .7 miles roundtrip

Surface: Flat terrain on sidewalks

Note: This playground is open to the public when school is not in session. 

Listen While Touring:

Fairfield Museum | Beach Rd

The Fairfield Museum and History Center offers topical exhibitions for children and adults. Checkout upcoming programs and events at www.fairfieldhistory.org.

The marshy area on the right side of the driveway used to be a pond where, in the 1600s, women accused of witchcraft were subjected to a water dunking test. If she floated, she failed. If she sank, the accused was innocent.

The people of Fairfield were early supporters of the independence movement and many died for the cause. Throughout the war, a constant battle was fought across Long Island Sound with Fairfielders raiding Long Island towns controlled by British Loyalists. On the morning of July 7, 1779, approximately 2,000 British troops landed on Fairfield Beach and burned more than 200 buildings to the ground as punishment for Fairfield's support of the rebel cause. The British spared three homes on the East side of Beach Rd. These homes were said to have billeted British troops. Some think these homes were spared because the owners were Tories. There could be some truth in both stories.

Old Burying Ground Cemetery

The Old Burying Ground is the oldest cemetery in Fairfield with 700 burial sites. The stone wall surrounding it was erected in 1898. Many of the stones are difficult to read depending on the type of stone used for the marker. Some have been replaced by newer and harder stone and those are the most readable. This cemetery includes many examples of historical gravestone images - skulls, cherubic angels and willow trees in various styles. Prominent citizens buried here include:

Caleb Brewster – member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring

Gold Selleck Silliman – General in the Colonial army kidnapped by British loyalists in 1779 and held for a year in Long Island before being freed by a prisoner exchange.

Isaac Jarvis – commanded the fort protecting Black Rock Harbor (now part of Bridgeport) from naval attack. A rough outline of the fort’s foundation can be seen in the water at low tide from St. Mary’s by the Sea at the East end of Black Rock Harbor, which was part of Fairfield at that time

Samuel Smedley – Captain of the Defense, a small Patriot frigate which captured a dozen British “prizes.” Sam Smedley eventually was captured by the British, escaped from the infamous Mill Prison in England then returned to Fairfield and fought the British when they raided in July 1779

ROGER SHERMAN SCHOOL

Roger Sherman, a Connecticut lawyer and politician, was one of six men who signed the Declaration of Independence AND the Constitution. Can you name the other five? See answer below.

ROGER SHERMAN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND

BACK WHERE YOU STARTED - FAIRFIELD MUSEUM

After taking a left on Beach Rd, walk past the Old Burying Grounds to your next left, which is the driveway which will return you to the museum and parking behind Sullivan Independence Hall.