The equestrian statue at the center of Burnside Park in downtown Providence is Ambrose Everett…read moreBurnside (1824-1881). Soldier, industrialist, inventor and politician, he served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869, and as a United States Senator for Rhode Island from 1875 until his death. This statue was dedicated in 1887 at Exchange Place, facing City Hall. In 1906, the statue was moved to City Hall Park, which was re-dedicated as Burnside Park. As a Union Army general in the American Civil War of 1861-1865, he conducted successful campaigns in North Carolina and East Tennessee, as well as countering the raids of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, but suffered disastrous defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of the Crater. In 1871, he became the first president of the National Rifle Association, holding the office until 1872. Personally, Burnside was always very popular, both in the army and in politics. He made friends easily, smiled a lot, and remembered everyone's name. His professional military reputation, however, was less positive, and he was known for being obstinate, unimaginative, and unsuited both intellectually and emotionally for high command. Burnside was noted for his unusual beard, joining strips of hair in front of his ears to his mustache but with the chin clean-shaven; the word burnsides was coined to describe this style. The syllables were later reversed to "sideburns." [Review 15275 overall, 777 of 2021, number 39 in Rhode Island.]

Ambrose Burnside was in the US Army. He was a soldier then a general, and later became a…read morepolitician. In the middle of City Hall Park, also known as Burnside Park, is a statue. Certainly the statue is less interesting than the story of the man. The man did some great things but he is best remembered for his facial instead of any of his heroics in the Civil War. Instead of anything he did in the Army or as a politician, he's known for his facial hair. One thing unique about him was his long bushy hair on the sides of his face joined to his mustache. These were called "Burnsides" and became like a trademark. Later the syllables got reversed. They were then called "sideburns." He of course accomplished a lot more. In addition to his contribution to fashion, he was also governor of Rhode Island and a Senator. Also he was an inventor. Then after this he also became the first president of the National Rifle Association, which was before it became a joke. A pretty cool looking statue of him on a horse. It's not as interesting as his story of course but it's in a nice little park. The statue has pretty good attention to details especially about his sideburns.

"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are…read morethese: "It might have been!" (Maud Miller by John Greenleaf Whittier) While not necessarily sad, this is the only marker I have seen that commemorates something that "might have been". It summarizes the early settlement and history of Woodstock, including the questionable statement that Thomas Hooker's party "might" have passed through the area in 1636 on their way to settling Hartford. The marker talks about peaceful encounters with the local Indians, and how the Indians left when King Philip's War erupted, paving the way for 13 settlers to establish the town that became known as Woodstock. The marker is chock full of information including the names of all 13 of the first settlers. The marker is located on the Norwich Worcester Turnpike (Rt. 169), just across the street from Roseland Cottage. It's a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a blue background. The marker dates to 1980 and is in very good condition. The full inscription reads: Near this place, in 1636, Thomas Hooker and his party may have passed by way of the Connecticut Path, going to settle what is now Hartford. In 1674 John Eliot, Apostel to the Indians, Pastor of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Major Daniel Gookin visited a peaceful encampment of Wabbaquassets living in the vicinity of present-day Woodstock to preach from nearby Eliot Rock, and sought to establish their church among the natives of these lands. King Philip's War broke out in 1675, during which the Wabbaquassets deserted the area. The site was chosen as a place of settlement, and here on April 5, 1686, from Roxbury came Peter Aspinwall John Gore Thomas Bacon Benjamin Griggs Henry Bowen George Griggs Matthew Davis John Marcy John Frizzel Ebenezer Morris Nathaniel Gray Benjamin Sabin Jonathan Smithers known as the Thirteen Goers to found the Town of New Roxbury, the first European settlement in the area that became Windham County. (Continued from other side) Given the name "Woodstock" by Judge Samuel Sewall in 1690 "...because of its nearness to Oxford, for the sake of Queen Elizabeth..." the Town remained a part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1749, when it seceded in favor of becoming a part of the Connecticut Colony. From these hills went Captain, later General, Samuel McClellan following the alarums sounded from Lexington and Concord in 1775, together with 184 men, who responded in a greater number than from any other town in the Colony. Born here were Jedediah Morse, the "father of American geography," and Henry C. Bowen, founder of the INDEPENDENT, a pre-Civil War anti-slavery newspaper; builder of Roseland Cottage; benefactor of Woodstock Academy, founded in 1801; and donor of Roseland Park. The many small rural industries of 19th century Woodstock are now represented by the making of electrical components and plastics in a community mainly agricultural and residential. Erected by the Town of Woodstock the Woodstock Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1980

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Providence located right in front of City Hall has a carved…read morerelief inscription that reads "Erected by the people of Rhode Island to the memory of the brave men who died so that their country might live"; this monument is dedicated mostly to the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (which was made up of white and black soldiers) and the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (African-American) who fought in the Civil War, but other soldier's names are also included here. At the top of the monument is a female figure holding a laurel wreath in her outstretched right arm and a sword in her left hand; the four buttresses of the base hold four bronze statues representing infantry, cavalry, artillery and naval veterans. The large bronze plaques on the base list the residents killed in the Civil War; the bronze bas-relief plaques with carved releif depictions representing war, victory, peace and history illustrated with African-American women; the monument was designed by Randolph Rogers; the figures were sculpted in Rome and cast in Munich before being assembled in Providence; the monument was dedicated in 1871. One of those names belongs to Roswell Saltonstall (who fought in the calvary division), a great-great-great grandfather of my husband A restoration project is in the works, which will include refurbishing the stone and bronze that makeup the monument, making new cannonballs to replace ones that have been lost and repairing lighting for the monument. Another improvement that is planned is to erect a low fence around the memorial, in keeping with the original design. The fence will prevent people from climbing on the monument. After plaques on the face of it are cleaned, passersby will be able to read the names of those who died.

This corner in Providence's Kennedy Plaza that stands in front of City Hall is a little…read moreunderutilized and it is unfortunate because this massive Civil War memorial isn't getting as much foot traffic as it deserves. The monument features a female allegorical with a laurel wreath in an outstretched right arm. A dedication on the monument's front (northeast) face reads, "Rhode Island pays tribute to the memory of the brave men who died that their country might live." A dedication plaque on the monument's west base, erected by the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. "This monument commemorates the members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the 14th Rhode Island Regiment Heavy Artillery (Colored) who fought and died in War of the Rebellion.: The monument's base includes four buttresses topped with bronze figures representing infantry, cavalry, artillery and naval veterans. Large bronze plaques on the monument's base list residents killed in the war. The names are arranged by rank within their regimental affiliation. Bronze bas-relief plaques also depict allegorical representations of war, victory, peace and history (illustrated as a African-American woman holding broken shackles). The monument was dedicated in its present location in 1871, and was moved in 1913 when Kennedy Plaza (then named Exchange Place) was constructed. It was returned to its original location in 1997 as part of renovations to the plaza. [Review 15274 overall, 776 of 2021, number 38 in Rhode Island.]

An Indian Chief with the outstanding name of "Allumps" sold the site of present day Plainfield to…read moretwo brothers in 1653. The marker describes Allumps as a "renegade chief". I wonder if his possibly less than eloquent name made him somewhat antisocial and perhaps paved the way for his renagedeness? Anyway, the text of this marker isn't exactly riveting. It touches on local geography, schools, churches, industry, and economy. I've seen a lot of similar markers that deliver a lot more oomph or interesting nuggets. This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission has the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on the front lawn of the First Congregational Church on Norwich Road. The marker is in pretty good condition -the front side is in very good shape with some fading and streaking on the reverse side..

This was the memorial that used to be near Waterplace park. It's now located between the…read moreConvention center and the AMP You can see the tiles made by children right after September 11, 2001 There's not much here besides the tiles but it's a nice remembrance of that tragic date.

This World War II memorial is located in Memorial Park on South Main Street. Amongst various other…read morememorials, this was another large sculpture built to commemorate the 96,000 Rhode Islanders who served. There were 8 granite columns on the rotunda; all engraved with different battles. There was a walkway throughout and a wall engraved with Rhode Island cities and towns. There were four benches and honor roll walls; 2,560 men and women who lost their lives are honored and their names inscribed on the walls. This is a beautiful and heartfelt memorial. The river is adjacent to it and it's close to everything. A lovely walk in the park and a great place to pay your respects. Thank you to the veterans for the ultimate sacrifice which in turn, gave us freedom. As President Roosevelt stated, "Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear."

The WWII Memorial in Memorial Park was dedicated on Veteran's Day, 2007. It is comprised of a giant…read morerotunda, two walls of veteran's names, and a small wall commemorating how many people each town in Rhode Island sent to war, as well as multiple benches placed around the rotunda and in front of the name walls. The language in the memorial revolved mostly around the refusal to forget those who lost their lives. The benches in front of the names walls highlight the (American) values people presumedly died fighting for: freedom of speech, freedom from want, etc. There is a section with the code of arms of every town/city in Rhode Island. The memorial is a beautiful architectural piece in Memorial Park, just adjacent to the Riverwalk.

Cerbo Square is a park in Providence County. Cerbo Square is situated near the parks Silver Lake…read moreMemorial Park and Paul Grande Park. It's a small urban park, mostly used by the neighbors to relax. Children play during the daytime and I enjoy seeing them in a safe space. The name of the park is a memorial to Frank Cerbo, a Silver Lake resident who lost his life fighting for his country in World War I.

Brooklyn, CT trivia time!…read more Ever hear of Prudence Crandall? She went on trial here in 1833 for the crime of educating Black school children. Want something a bit more upbeat? How about the fact that Brooklyn is the home of America's oldest continuously operated agricultural fair, going way back to 1852. Another Brooklyn, CT claim to fame revolves around General Israel Putnam, an amazing guy that lived here before and after the Revolutionary War. Check out his impressive life. http://www.yelp.com/biz/general-israel-putnam-monument-hartford?hrid=pvMpur5uLPSumYW0ia6jFg#src:self Dedicated in 1971, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on the Town Green where Routes 169 and 6 criss-cross. The text is the same on both sides, and although they are both in average condition, the white lettering is starting to fade. The full inscription reads: Formerly Mortlake, first settled in 1703, made, a town on the 2nd Thursday of may 1786. Home of General Israel Putnam prior to and after the Revolution. Town landmarks include: Meeting House on the Green, built 1771 by First Ecclesiastical Society of Brooklyn became Connecticut's first Unitarian Church 1816, with Samuel J. May as minister; Old Trinity Church (Episcopal) on Church Street, erected by Godfrey Malbone 1771; former Windham County Courthouse, built 1820, afterwards Town Hall, site in 1833 of trial of Prudence Crandall of Canterbury for defying law restricting Negro education. Brooklyn Fair is the nation's oldest continuous agricultural fair, held annually since 1852. Erected by the Brooklyn Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission. 1971