This blog post takes a look back at the life, legacy, and impact of David R. Wagner—one of Connecticut’s most respected muralists and historical painters. From town halls to tribal offices, Wagner’s art changed how people see local and national history, shining a light on stories that usually get left out.
A Connecticut Artist Rooted in History
David R. Wagner died on Dec. 6 at age 85 in Uncasville. He leaves behind an artistic legacy tied closely to Connecticut’s towns, people, and past.
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Born Oct. 6, 1940, in Jewett City, Wagner mostly taught himself to paint. Still, his work showed a level of scholarship you’d expect from a professional historian. He spent years digging through primary sources, uniforms, landscapes, and firsthand accounts to get the details right.
Wagner lived and worked in several Connecticut communities, including Plainfield, Preston, and Griswold. He found inspiration in the places he called home.
He kept painting into his late 70s, even as Parkinson’s Disease slowly forced him to step away from his easel.
Reframing the American Story Through Art
Wagner became known for challenging the usual versions of American history. His paintings highlighted perspectives people often overlook—especially those of Native Americans and Black soldiers.
He devoted much of his work to the Revolutionary War, focusing on events that shaped New England.
The Washington–Rochambeau Route Series
One of his biggest achievements is the Washington–Rochambeau Route series. This collection of over 50 paintings shows the 1781 march of French and American troops through Connecticut and beyond.
Many of these pieces capture moments in towns like Norwich, New London, and Groton. Wagner managed to make a huge global event feel personal and local.
People have reproduced, studied, and shared these paintings online, helping Wagner connect with audiences outside Connecticut.
Recognition at Home and Abroad
Wagner’s work got plenty of recognition. In 2000, the Mohegan Tribe bought about 100 of his Connecticut-themed paintings for $1 million. Most are displayed in tribal offices in Uncasville, keeping regional history alive through a Native lens.
His painting of the Battle of Rhode Island appeared in the 2020 documentary Black Patriots. You’ll also spot his art in Ken Burns’s PBS series The American Revolution and its companion book.
International Honor from France
France awarded Wagner the National Order of Merit in 2017 for his Washington–Rochambeau paintings. It’s a big deal—recognizing the international importance of his art and its role in celebrating Franco-American cooperation.
Public Art Across Connecticut
Wagner believed history shouldn’t hide away in textbooks. He wanted it out in the open, so he created large-scale murals for public spaces.
His mural Battle of Groton Heights hangs in Groton’s town hall. Other murals appear in:
Service Beyond the Canvas
Wagner served his community in other ways, too. From 1971 to 1973, he worked as Plainfield’s First Selectman.
He designed the town seal and, after trying (unsuccessfully) to save a historic stone arch from demolition, painted local murals. Sometimes you just have to leave your mark another way.
A Final Tribute in Griswold
Griswold plans to host a public celebration of Wagner’s life. The memorial will showcase many of his works.
Folks from Hartford, New London, and other Connecticut towns can take this chance to remember an artist who poured his heart into preserving the state’s story. He did it one brushstroke at a time—no exaggeration there.
Here is the source article for this story: Work of renowned CT historical artist lives on through American Revolution documentaries, and more
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