Discovery of 18th-Century Bakery in Connecticut

Archaeologists have recently unearthed well-preserved remains of an 18th-century bakery in Lebanon, Connecticut. This find offers a rare glimpse into the Revolutionary War era.

This bakery was reportedly used to prepare bread for the French army during their support of the American Revolutionary efforts. The excavation, conducted in early June, revealed the structure’s foundations on the Lebanon Town Green.

Images from the site display the baking house’s exposed foundations along with a few small artifacts. Notably, however, there was one significant discovery. Sarah P. Sportsman, an archaeologist with the state, mentioned that on the last day of the dig, a burnt flint was found.

“Flint served as a crucial piece in warfare,” she explained, noting its use in flintlock firearms. “It creates the spark that ignites the gunpowder.”

Aside from this notable find, many of the other artifacts were less remarkable, illustrating the site’s varied historical context.

“At the surface, we found shards of pottery and glass dating back to the late 19th century,” Sportsman noted, hinting at common landscaping activities. “Digging deeper, however, revealed older items—like late 18th-century pottery, animal bones, clay pipe fragments, and old glass bottle pieces.”

Despite the significance of the bakery, she commented on the overall small number of artifacts discovered.

Historians had long suspected a French oven existed on this green, partly due to a commemorative plaque at the supposed site. Past amateur digs in 1896 had uncovered masonry and bricks, yet no documentation exists, making this the first detailed archaeological examination of the bakery.

“We hope follow-up testing in the fall will uncover more features and enhance our understanding of the find,” Sportsman said.

She also mentioned that the earlier 1896 excavation was likely the only prior research at this location, with the current state of the foundations appearing largely intact under rubble.

Sportsman described the structure as intended to be “semi-permanent,” reflecting the duration of the encampments in that area during the war.

“It’s not particularly robust, lacking sturdy masonry,” she pointed out. “Still, it’s more durable than the temporary earth ovens that armies used while on the move. The foundation seems to be made of stone, while bricks constitute most of the oven itself.”

This oven discovery doesn’t mark the end of the research endeavor. Sportsman asserted that researchers are actively trying to better understand the style of the structure and the surrounding debris.

Ground-penetrating radar surveys conducted before the excavation suggested that the excavated stone and brick structures might be part of a larger complex in this area.

“We hope that additional testing in the fall will help reveal more about this historic site,” she added.

The excavation of the bakery is part of a larger archaeological initiative in Lebanon, connected to events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

Experts have identified several locations tied to 18th-century militia training and possible French hospital sites, illustrating the scale of Revolutionary activities in the area.

“This project signifies the contributions of Lebanese encampments, which were instrumental during the campaigns led by the French army under General Rochambeau,” Sportsman highlighted. “It’s a vital reminder of the crucial support we received from our French allies to achieve independence.”