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

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

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

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.

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.

I did not come to tour the museum, but did get to see part of it as part of a hearth cooking class…read more The Stanley-Whitman is part original house arranged how it may have been with the original owners, and part new structure with a gift shop and modern restrooms. There is also an herb garden outside, and an apple tree grown based on the teachings of Benjamin Franklin. Apparently having fruit took more than a grocery store way back when. The house is very interesting to experience. Everything was smaller back then, and cooking was a task and a half. The employees/docents are obviously learned about their subjects, and you'll learn a lot. Definitely check out their special programs - parking may be a challenge (so carpool!) but if they're food related they'll be delicious.

Stopped in for a short tour during the day. The docent was very knowledgeable. It's a small place…read morebut tons of information. Great way to spend an hour.

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

It was a Pulitzer prize winning photograph, taken on February 23, 1945 and it became one of the…read moremost iconic images in American history. A monument based on the image became a well known tourist attraction in Washington DC. And in 1995, on the Newington/New Britain border, just off Exit 29 on Route 9, it became a memorial and park that will simply take your breath away. This memorial is dedicated to America's 6,821 servicemen who gave their lives during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The base of the memorial lists the names of the 100 Connecticut natives killed there. There is so much to see at the memorial and around the park. Flags of the service branches, a stone uncovered during the excavation that eerily resembled the shape of Iwo Jima's island, an eternal flame, monuments dedicated to medical corps and chaplains, engraved bricks on the walkways, engraved dedications on the hundreds of flag holders, small stone memorials with sponsors' names, and a time capsule to be opened in 2045. Of course, the crowning glory of this sprawling memorial is the massive statue representing the raising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi by six soldiers. It is simply a stunning memorial. Go see it, read the plaques, try to wrap your arms around the idea of 6,800 servicemen dying, spend some quiet time reflecting on what you have seen.

This was a must see while I was in the area. This stems from a very monumental moment in our…read morecountry's history. This memorial is located on Ella Grasso boulevard, near New Britain/Newington town line. This memorial was dedicated on February 23,1995. This memorial salutes the Americans who died fighting the last strategic stronghold, before the planned invasion on Japan. The park also features an eternal flame and monuments also dedicated to combat medical corps and chaplains. At the base of the monument are the inscribed names of the soldiers who gave their lives in battle.