War of 1812 bicentennial exhibit

In the 1960s and 70s the late Robert Bachman, a historian in Waterford, Connecticut, conducted extensive research for a book about the conduct of the War of 1812 in the New London area. Among other events, it would have described the blockade of New London by the Royal Navy to prevent the escape of Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron trapped at Gales Ferry, harassment of the British by New Londoners and others along the coast, and the British raids on Essex and Stonington, Connecticut.  

The book was never written, but Mr. Bachman's archive was presented to the McGuire Library by his family where it is a unique resource for research on the war.  Among the most unusual items are dozens of copies of Admiralty papers, obtained by Mr. Bachman on a trip to England, which describe the conflict from the point of view of British naval officers.

The Library has also acquired a number of books about the war, many published in connection with the bicentennial observances between 2012 and 2014.