Bat Appreciation Day to Be Held at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine on Sept. 19
Press Releases
09/10/2026
Celebrate History and Bats at a Fun-filled Event for All Ages
(HARTFORD)—Join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for a celebration of bat conservation at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event highlights the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine’s critical role as winter habitat for state-endangered bat species that have experienced significant population declines, while also recognizing the site’s unique place in Connecticut’s history.
Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine was the first operating copper mine in the North American colonies before later becoming our young nation’s first state prison. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972, the site today is an important cultural resource – and its underground tunnels also provide a winter home for several state endangered bat species.
The bats of Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine are considered “cave bats” because they spend the winter underground. Cave bats are affected by the disease known as White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). In the 20 years since its initial detection in New York, WNS has killed millions of bats throughout the Northeast. It has spread to at least 40 states and nine Canadian provinces.
To raise awareness of the plight of bats and their importance to our ecosystem and our economy, the DEEP Wildlife Division and DECD Office of State Historic Preservation have joined forces to host the 10th Annual Bat Appreciation Day. The day will feature bat activities for the whole family and include exhibits, bat story time, historical tales, the unique opportunity to sneak a peek at the “bat cave,” bat crafts for kids, presentations on bats, and more.
“The Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine provides critical winter habitat for state-endangered bat species that have experienced significant population declines, making the site a crucial part of our efforts to conserve these unique and important endangered animals,” said Emma Cimino, Acting DEEP Commissioner. “We are grateful for the partnership of the DECD Office of State Historic Preservation, which allows us to advance bat conservation while also preserving and sharing one of Connecticut’s most significant historic sites.”
“We are excited to be partnering with DEEP,” said Morgan Bengel, site manager of Old New-Gate. “Bat Appreciation Day is a great opportunity to showcase our facility and connect people with the cultural and natural history here, especially as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.”
“This is a great chance to learn the remarkable history of Old New-Gate Prison and view it through the lens of the state-endangered bats that depend on it as their winter home,” said Jenny Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division Director. “Little brown, tri-colored, and northern long-eared bats have all used this site to hibernate during the winter months. DECD and DEEP have worked closely together to protect this unique site, and we look forward to telling its history, the story of the bats, and the importance of both for conservation efforts in the future.”
More information about Bat Appreciation Day can be found on the DEEP website. You can learn more about bats from the Bats in Connecticut Fact Sheet.
Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine was the first operating copper mine in the North American colonies before becoming the first state prison in the nation. Today, it is not just a cultural resource – its underground tunnels are the winter home of the big brown bat, as well as several state endangered bat species.
Photo credit: Paul Benjunas/CT DEEP Wildlife Division.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-4100
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