This is the newest 9/11 Memorial I have looked at. It was just dedicated on 9/11/18…read more Planning started back in 2010 when a request was made for three pieces of steel from the destroyed World Trade Center. The memorial has a circular patio with benches just off to the side of the fire station. A path from the circle leads to two upright steel beams rising from the ground to suggest the Twin Towers. They are rising from a pavement base in the shape of a pentagon. I saw a third beam and read that it was damaged when the WTC collapsed on it. The setting for the memorial contains trees, landscaped plant beds, and custom lighting. Sitting under a tree, a nearby plaque reads: "NEVER FORGET" This tree is a living memorial to those that lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on our country of September 11, 2001 May we never forget and be inspired by the bravery and courage of the 343 New York City firefighters Who gave their lives in service to others

I guess the very busy Berlin Turnpike of today used to be an Indian path…read more Welcome to Berlin, CT!! It's the geographic center of the state, and its historic heritage includes the manufacture of tin pots and pans and pistols. For centuries it has been a popular stopping place for weary travelers. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a blue background. The marker dates to 1982 and is in pretty good shape. It's located on a grassy hilly green with benches known as Deming Park on the corner of Kensington Road and Main Street. The full inscription reads: This land, granted to settlers in 1661 and 1668 by the General Court of Connecticut, was also purchased from the local Mattabesett Indian tribe. Founders of the community include Sergeant Richard Beckley, who came north on the trail from New Haven before 1660 and built a home in the northeast section; Jonathan Gilbert, owner of a tract of land along the Hartford-New Haven path; and Captain Richard Seymour, who led a group of families from Farmington in 1686 to begin the settlement at Christian Lane. The area was named the Great Swamp Society in 1705, when it was granted a distinct ecclesiastical unit. Portions of Farmington, Wethersfield, and Middletown were included in the reorganization of 1722, when the name became Kensington. The Worthington Society was later separated from Kensington, but in 1785 all parts were incorporated as the Town of Berlin, including Worthington, Kensington, East Berlin and New Britain. Known as the "Town at the Crossroads" Berlin is the geographic center of Connecticut. (Reverse) Here in the birthplace of the Yankee Pedlar, the Pattison brothers started the tin industry in 1740, when they began manufacturing and selling tin pots and pans. Simeon North, official pistol maker for the United States Government, developed a system of standard interchangeable parts here in his shop c. 1800. Other citizens who brought fame to Berlin include: Emma Hart Willard, educator; Robert Brandegee, artist-poet; Elisha Cheney, clock maker; James Gates Percival, poet-geologist; and General Selah Hart, regimental and brigade commander in the American Revolutionary War. The period from 1850 to 1900 saw the New Britain section grow from a farming village to a thriving industrial center after its separation from Berlin in 1850. Some factories still operated in Berlin, however, and the brick industry flourished well into the 20th century because of the excellent quality of the local clay. The Berlin area has long been a major stop on the main routes of travel, from Indian paths, to superhighways. Erected by the Town of Berlin The Berlin Historical Society And the Connecticut Historical Commission 1982

This is a mans world This is a mans world…read moreBut it would be nothing, nothing Without a women or a girl (James Brown) There is a large park in New Britain named Walnut Park. While exploring the park today, I came across this awesome monument named "Salute to Women". It's a slab of black granite topped with an engraving of a woman holding a wrench in her right hand and cradling an infant in her left hand. The eloquent inscription recognizes the often unsung role of America's women ("our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters") during times of war. Check out the beautiful message: Salute To Women Throughout our century of wars, we have rightfully paid homage, and erected monuments to our veterans commemorating their heroic deeds and sacrifices. Today, we recognize and pay homage, and salute our women; our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters who unselfishly nurtured and nursed their veterans and supported their men by entering the factories, shops, and mills thereby turning America into "the arsenal of democracy," so vital and necessary for final victory; while simultaneously "keeping the home fires burning" patiently and silently awaiting the return of their beloved sons, husbands and brothers - alive or dead. They sacrificed their men to the horrors of war... they suffered and shed tears in silence... without expectation of recognition, monuments, awards, or medals. They are the true heroines of the century of war... today your veterans salute you. Louis A. Gentile Inspired by Aurea S. Gentle Mary A. Gentle & Sharon R. Phillips Dedicated, June 13, 1999

May 27, 2024, Happy Memorial Day. Honoring the fallen with a moment of silence and then a review of…read morea beautiful soldiers' monument located in Central Park in New Britain, CT. This 44 feet limestone tomb was dedicated in September 1900. There are various steles nearby, commemorating soldiers that served various wars. This memorial is dedicated to the soldiers in New Britain who served in the Civil War. The monument was intricately designed by an architect; it has a bronze crown and inscriptions throughout. The bronze crown is known as the winged victory; a statue of a winged female with her arms stretched like she's flying. It's a very beautiful obelisk, the best i've seen. The marble has names of soldiers and those who were involved with the creation/dedication of this monument engraved on it. The words engraved on there were very meaningful, sentimental, solemn; it touched my soul: "oh rare and royal / was the sacrifice with malice toward / none with charity / for all with firm / ness in the right / lincoln this monument is built in grateful remembrance of the soldiers and sailors who in the war to maintain the union offered their lives in the cause of mankind that coming generations taught by their example may cherish the fruits of their valor and devotion and make their memory immortal for you and me they / put their armor on let us have peace / grant for you and me they / stood in grim array liberty and union / now and forever / one inseparable / webster mdccclxi - mdccclxverected by thecitizens of new britainmdcccxcix they joined the mortal / struggle and went down to heroes living / and dear martyrs / dead / lowell" Thank you to all the veterans who sacrificed, served, and protected our country; in the past, in the present, and in the future.

This ornate monument was built in 1900, and for something that's been around for nearly twelve…read moredecades it is definitely showing signs of its age. Nevertheless, this is a glorious work of art. It honors soldiers from New Britain that served in the Civil War. It's a huge monument, over 50 feet tall and topped by a gold statue of "Winged Victory". There are inscriptions and sculpted panels everywhere you look -a globe, a wreath, torches, tablets. lion heads, and four stone columns that list sixty-four Civil War battles. The monument is showing evidence of streaked staining and some of the inscriptions are a little hard to read. Here are some of the many inscriptions: With Malice Toward None With Charity For All With Firmness In The Right (Lincoln) Oh Rare And Royal Was The Sacrifice Let Us Have Peace (Grant) For You And Me They Put Their Armor On This Monument Is Built In Grateful Remembrance Of The Soldiers And Sailors Who In The War To Maintain The Union Offered Their Lives In The Cause Of Mankind That Coming Generations Taught By Their Example May Cherish The Fruits Of Their Valor And Devotion And Make Their Memory Immortal For You And Me They Stood In Grim Array To Heroes Living And Dear Martyrs Dead They Joined The Mortal Struggle And Went Down MDCCCLXI - MDCCCLXV Erected By The Citizens Of New Britain MDCCCXCIX

"Can't see nothing in front of me Can't see nothing coming…read moreup behind On my back's a sixty pound stone On my shoulder, a half-mile line" (Bruce Springsteen) As you're driving northbound on the Berlin Turnpike, you'll see this modest memorial on the right side of the road on the grounds of the Berlin Fire Department. The memorial has three components, starting with a brick and stone logo of Berlin's Engine Company 3. It serves as the center of a display area for the other two components. On the left you'll see a polished stone base inscribed with "September 11, 2001". Mounted on top of the base is a section of World Trade Center steel. On the right you'll see a memorial statue dedicated to "the Town of Berlin Firefighters Past and Present And Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice". Above the stone base you'll see the sculpted likeness of a fireman's hat resting on top of a folded fire coat and a pair of boots.

It's, uh, a place you can get on the train. Pretty station, but it's been turned into an office for…read moreconstruction workers. And there's a ton of vehicles and supplies for said construction. Hopefully when the track upgrades are done, they'll restore the station too...

My family and I were at the Celebrate New Britain event and stopped at this historical marker…read more Since there's a Yelp review on it, I'll add my two cents. The marker is located in Central Park next to the huge Soldiers' Monument; standing almost like a shadow against this grand obelisk. Don't let that take away from the significance of it. The marker was erected in 1971, with a combined effort of the City of New Britain and Connecticut Historical Commission. On the marker, there is a brief description of the city. It became a town in 1850 and the main sources of employment were blacksmithing and hardware manufacturing; it rapidly expanded and became known as the hardware city. A nice spot to stop, take a moment, and read this informative marker.

Once known as "The Hardware City of the World", the name "New Britain" is certainly an improvement…read moreover it's early name of "Great Swamp". This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has the same inscription on both sides. It's Located in a small green known as Central Park, at the intersection of West Main Street and Main Street. The sign was dedicated in 1971 and remains in pretty good condition considering its age. It is showing some sides of faded paint on both the white lettering and blue background, but is still very readable. The full inscription reads: The Ecclesiastical Society of New Britain was formed 1754 by division of Kensington Society called Great Swamp. New Britain became a town 1850. Charter of incorporation was granted by Connecticut General Assembly 1870 which was accepted January, 1871, by vote of 521 to 520. From small beginnings in blacksmith shops, hardware manufacturing developed rapidly; by end of the 19th century city was widely known as Hardware City of the World. Its most famous son, Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith became ardent advocate of international peace and advancement of education. First Normal School in Connecticut was established here 1850, now Central Connecticut State College. Erected by the City of New Britain and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1971

The library... Sure to be the great anachronism of the 21st century. Books? What are those? Is…read morethere a slot for them somewhere on my iPad? But sometimes there's a little magic in opening a tangible, paper and ink book... especially one with beautiful pictures. Truly, there was something spiritually fulfilling about browsing the volumes of this tiny library, which does bring in its share of newer texts while preserving the writings of the past. Lesley Q. found a book on the town of Berlin, which had lots of photographs of the town's historical homes and buildings. I stumbled upon [in real life, not the goddamn website] a copy of Connecticut's public records from 1797-1799. Bet you didn't know that His Excellency Jonathan Trumbull Esquire was paid $500 every six months for his services as the Governor of Connecticut! There's a real life card catalog... remember those? Painstakingly thumbing through thousands of index cards to find sources for your four page written report on elephants before the internet was invented... man, life was rough back in fourth grade. The cheap linoleum floors. The souciant of slowly decaying paper in the air. The cheapest fluorescent lights that local government money can buy... yep, it's a library alright. Living just steps away from here, a regular visit is all but necessary.