Today is Wednesday, October 21, 2026 
by Dave and Gretchen Loda
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Performance
Description: Dave Loda will portray Benedict Arnold in character at two stages of his career. The first as an American Major General after Saratoga, about to take command of West Point after leaving Philadelphia with his new wife Peggy Shippen. The second will be after the betrayal as a British Provincial Brigadier General as he is about to leave NYC to attack New London in a British attempt to distract Washington and the French fleet away from Cornwallis, who was bottled up in Yorktown Virginia. Gretchen Loda will portray Peggy Shippen and talk about and perform some of the popular songs during the late 18th century in both Europe and the American Colonies.
Where: Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London, CT
Schedule: Reception at 6:00 pm in Hendel Library, performance at 6:30 in Lehman Auditorium
Dave Loda is a retired US Navy pilot and Digital Manufacturing Architect. He and his horse Huckleberry have been performing and supporting living history events across the region since 2008. Gretchen Loda is a classically trained Soprano and 18th century Musicologist with a vocal performance degree from Keane State College. She has been reenacting since 2007 and has served on cannon crews and regularly performs the National Anthem at major events in the region. The couple lives in a late 18th century home in Norwich, CT.
