Honoring Revolutionary War history at the Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry

"

The Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry honors the life and legacy of the Revolutionary War hero. Hale, who is considered Connecticut's state hero and a symbol of patriotism, is most famous for the quote, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.'' Hale was born on the property. "This is the property that he grew up on. And we tell the story of a family on the cusp of the American Revolution," says Anne Marie Charland, site administrator. Nathan Jedziniak, one of the homestead's tour guides, tells News 12 the homestead allows people to connect with the story of early American patriots like Hale. Hale attended Yale University when he was 14 years old, along with his brother Enoch, and graduated in 1774. Hale was a teacher before becoming an Army captain. "The war breaks out and George Washington puts out a play. I need someone to cross over into New York and tell me how many British there are and where they're encamped," says Charland. Hale accepted the challenge, crossed over to New York and was captured. "The British treat him very poorly, and they execute him the following day without a trial. Now, Nathan Hale is a story that is taught to schoolchildren all throughout the country," says Jedziniak. Beginning in July, the homestead will have a flag field for heroes. "Each flag is adorned with the honor, his name. And it's really beautiful because it gives people a setting to come and to visit their own space," says Charland. The homestead is also the home of the Coventry Farmers' Market. Held every Sunday, the market is one of the largest in the state. "