The Groton Historical Society along with the Groton Free Public Library and the Groton Recreation Committee are excited to announce the “Sleeping Sentinel Concert” performed by renowned musician Banjo Dan on Saturday, September 3 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Groton Center.  Barbecue chicken dinner and pie will be available starting at 5 PM.   Program begins at 5:30 PM with music commencing at 6:00 PM.  The concert is free and open to everyone.  Please bring your own lawn chairs or blanket!

The concert is in celebration of our local history and in recognition of the 155th anniversary of Groton native Private William Scott’s (“The Sleeping Sentinel”) famous pardon by President Abraham Lincoln.  The concert will feature not only great music but also a Sleeping Sentinel Trivia Contest with prizes, a cider press demonstration by Artesano Meadery as well as delicious refreshments.

Banjo Dan is a Vermont-based musician known for his work with the Mid-nite Plowboys and the Sky Blue Boys as well as his commitment to documenting Vermont history through song.  This concert will feature songs from Banjo Dan’s new “Sleeping Sentinel” album as well as other tunes highlighting Vermont and local history.  “The Sleeping Sentinel” album is the fourth and final volume of Banjo Dan’s “Songs of Vermont.”  The centerpiece is a ten-part suite of songs and tunes relating to Vermont’s role in the Civil War and especially the remarkable story of Private William Scott of Groton, Vermont, the Civil War soldier who fell asleep on sentry duty, was arrested and court-martialed, sentenced to death by firing squad, pardoned at the last minute by President Lincoln, and went on to die a hero’s death in battle.  Additional songs recall the tragic tale of the Ascutney farmer who resisted the building of the Interstate highway through his homestead, the “Big Bang” of Berlin, growing up in St. Albans in the 1950s, and much more.  Many of these songs will be featured at this concert with a spotlight on Groton’s own Sleeping Sentinel.