Equestrian statue of Israel Putnam

General Israel Putnam, also known as Putnam's Escape at Horseneck, is an equestrian statue located in the Putnam Memorial State Park in Redding, Connecticut. Designed by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, it was dedicated in 1969 to honor General Israel Putnam, a noted figure from the American Revolutionary War known for his military exploits, including leading troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill and escaping British forces by riding down a steep hill in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Huntington, a renowned female sculptor born in 1876, was inspired by the story of Putnam's escape. Her statue captures Putnam on horseback descending stairs, with his body turned backward and shaking his fist defiantly, while the horse appears terrified. The sculpture stands on a rectangular fieldstone pedestal inscribed with historical details about Putnam's escape. Huntington, who lived near the park, created this as one of her last major works before her death in 1973.

The statue was donated to the park in 1969 and dedicated during a ceremony where speeches highlighted the contributions of both Putnam and Huntington. It remains a significant historical and artistic landmark, recognized for its design and historical significance.