I got to see this monument at the church's annual lobster festival and craft fair. Frankly, I was…read moreintrigued at it being the first Civil War monument, particularly since now it seems like there's one (or at least a mention of those who served) in every town. The monument is taller than I am, so well over six feet, and is a bit like the Washington monument in appearance. It seems structurally sound, and was clearly well built or has been well maintained since 1863, despite being on a small incline. There is a small fence surrounding this monument, although it is much too high to legitimately be a tripping hazard. A fine, well maintained and contained monument indeed. Also, if you go during their festival, try the lobster roll!

In every list of things, or every column of data, something has to be first. Today I saw America's…read morefirst monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Civil War. It was dedicated in 1863, while the war was still raging. The monument is located in a lovely park on the corner of Percival Street and Sheldon Street on the property of the Kensington Congregational Church. It's a tall obelisk of simple stone with inscriptions on all four sides of the base. The monument is surrounded by a pretty ornamental iron fence that is adorned with plaques. One of the fence plaques tells the back story of the monument. "In 1861 as the Civil War escalated, a decision was made to provide a monument to honor soldiers from the Kensington area. The effort was led by The Reverend Elias Hillard, Nelson A. Moore, Selectman George Cowles and church members. It was designed by Mr. Moore and dedicated on July 28, 1863. This monument was the first in the Nation to honor Civil War soldiers. There were 15 local area men who served including Elijah H. Bacon who was awarded the Medal of Honor. This plaque donated by the Town of Berlin under the auspices of the Berlin Veterans Commission The plaque's main inscription reads: Erected to Commemorate the Death Of Those Who Perished in Suppressing The Southern Rebellion How sleep the brave who sink to rest. By all their country's wishes blest. 1863 Soldiers The other sides of the monument bear the names of local Civil War veterans. There is a cannon with a stack of cannon balls on the lawn not far from the monument. It's a beautiful monument and the ornate wrought iron fence gives the corner the look of a cemetery. This is deservedly a five star memorial- for its aesthetic appeal and its historic significance.

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

I came here on a fall afternoon as the sun was setting. It's a bit of a drive up to the castle from…read morethe entrance of the park but not too bad- about 10-15 minutes. I like that there are stairs inside the castle. What a beautiful view from the top! The foliage was a bit past peak but still gorgeous. It was windy and chilly but totally worth the views!

Yesterday my dog Brody and I decided to visit Castle Craig which is perfectly situated high above…read moreHubbard Park in order to gain a view of both the park and much of Meriden. Though this year's peak fall colors were muted and a bit past, it was still highly enjoyable.

Another great example of some of the weird stuff you'll find in just about any town…read more This tower was built back in 1925 and it controlled downtown traffic for over 40 years. It was located at a 4-corner intersection, so it had red, yellow, and green lights on all four sides. A guy used to climb up into the tower with a ladder and he manually operated the lights. The full history of this strange contraption can be found on the detailed plaque at the base. The inscription reads: Meriden's Traffic Tower Erected on September 21, 1925, Meriden's Traffic Tower was an innovative traffic control device designed to provide safe travel for the vehicles and pedestrians of the growing city. The unique character of the tower quickly made it a local landmark and a symbol of the city. The traffic tower's original location, a short distance north of this site was in an area rich in historical significance for both Meriden and Connecticut. One of the earliest colonial roads ran through the area that is now downtown Meriden and in 1784 Connecticut's first stage coach ran from Hartford to New Haven passing through Meriden from Cook Avenue to West Main Street and along Colony Street. In the 1930's the Meriden Daily Journal ran a daily news column entitled "The Traffic Tower" indicating the tower's popularity as a city landmark. During World War II Meriden servicemen received a monthly "News From Home" bulletin which carried a picture of the traffic tower as a reminder of home. On May 22, 1967, after 42 years of successful operation, the traffic tower was retired from service to make way for modern traffic control devices. However, the memories associated with the tower and the symbolic value it had gained remained in the hearts and minds of many. Accordingly, in 1974 the tower was purchased by Kogut Enterprises and renovated through the efforts of the Union - Parker Co. and the American National Bank. In 1981, through the efforts of the Pride in Meriden Committee, the traffic tower was replaced near its original location at the intersection of Colony and West Main Streets. As part of Meriden's downtown revitalization the city has chosen to restore the traffic tower and provide it a place of dignity and prominence in the city's new downtown. From this place the traffic tower can continue to serve as an important symbol of the industry, innovation, values and community spirit of a city with a great past and a promising future. October 1993

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

In late August 2014, this epic monument was unveiled at the front entrance of the State Police…read moreHeadquarters in Middletown. It honors the law enforcement and public safety champions of the canine persuasion that have served our state for 80 years. According to the State Police website, they train four types of dogs -Patrol (a multipurpose category that includes tracking, apprehension, protection, and evidence recovery), Bloodhounds (for specialized and difficult tracking), Search and Rescue (to locate any live or deceased human scent in large search zones), and Detection dogs (think narcotics, accelerants, explosives and even electronic storage devices). The Connecticut State Police Canine program is renowned across the country and internationally. Police dogs from around the world are trained here (Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus to name a few). Training programs by the US State Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were modeled after the one designed by the CT State Police. The monument features likenesses of the three dog breeds used by the State Police, Labradors, German shepherds and bloodhounds. The monument's inscription reads: "Dedicated to past, present, and future canines of the Connecticut State Police. Their loyalty, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten".

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

This is one terrific memorial!…read more It's a large rock on a white stone base. Set into the rock is an ornate metal plaque with over 100 names of Cromwell citizens that served in World War One. There are sculpted panels showing scenes from the war - soldiers and sailors and a cavalryman on a horse. There is a large angel with her wings outstretched over the names- as though she is there to protect them. The center inscription reads: Erected in Honor of the World War Veterans By the Citizens of Cromwell 1925 On top of the rock is an attention grabbing sight - a fierce looking bronze statue of an eagle or a hawk perched on top of the distinctive World War One "Doughboy" helmet.

Unexpected and beautifully imposing. I was surprised to run into this driving through Cromwell.read more