In 1836, Connecticut-born gun manufacturer Samuel Colt (1814-62) received a U.S. patent for a…read morerevolver mechanism that enabled a gun to be fired multiple times without reloading. Colt founded a company to manufacture his revolving-cylinder pistol; however, sales were slow and the business floundered. Then in 1846, with the Mexican War (1846-48) under way, the U.S. government ordered 1,000 Colt revolvers. In 1855, Colt opened what was the world's largest private armament factory (here in Hartford!) in which he employed advanced manufacturing techniques such as interchangeable parts and an organized production line. By 1856, the company could produce 150 weapons per day. Colt was also an effective promoter, and by the start of the U.S. Civil War (1861-65) he had made the Colt revolver perhaps the world's best-known firearm. He died a wealthy man in 1862; the company he founded remains in business today. This monument to the famous Samuel Colt was commissioned by his wife in 1902 and the foundation was laid in 1905. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt never saw the completed memorial, as she passed in late 1905. The memorial statue was designed by John Massey Rhind, a Scottish sculptor from New York. The Samuel Colt Monument depicts Samuel at different stages throughout his life, each representing a significant moment chosen by Elizabeth to tell and preserve the legend of her husband. At the base the memorial statue sits a young Samuel whittling a revolver cylinder during his time as a mariner. Sitting atop a tier of six granite steps, rising above Colt Park overlooking the entrance, stands the triumphant figure of a man who achieved success. Samuel Colt, a tenacious man with an entrepreneurial spirit, faced numerous struggles in his life, both personal and business related, achieved the success he dreamed of his entire life. Colt is laid to rest beside his wife not far from here in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, https://www.yelp.com/biz/cedar-hill-cemetery-hartford?hrid=7Y0aUvQeznXHxPEngg367g. While Samuel Colt was a great man who achieved great things, this monument needs some help and attention. Some of the concrete is broken and uneven. The copper is deteriorating. The monument has a lot of litter. It's a shame. [Review 15231 overall, 733 of 2021, number 47 in Connecticut.]

So who do you think are the most famous people that ever lived in Hartford? Mark Twain? Yes, of…read morecourse. Noah Webster? Sure. Well how about Samuel Colt? He was one of America's greatest inventors and pioneered the use of interchangeable parts in manufacturing. His career as a gun manufacturer was jump-started in 1847 when the Texas Rangers ordered 1,000 of his revolvers for the Mexican War. Fifteen years later, he was selling guns to both the North and South in America's Civil War. This impressive and very unique monument is located at an entrance to Colt Park near the intersection of Wethersfield Avenue and Stonington Street. Why unique? Well, the monument includes two separate statues of Colt and a series of engraved wall panels. The larger of the two statues depicts Colt as an older man. He is wearing a long coat and looks every bit the successful inventor. A smaller statue depicts Colt as a young boy. He is whittling a piece of wood that looks remarkably like the chamber of a revolver. The engraved panels on the back wall of the memorial show Colt and the Russian Czar at the British House of Commons. Sadly, the memorial is in a distressed condition. The statues are pitting and deteriorating, as are the panels which are very hard to decipher. There's an inscription behind the statue of the elder Colt that reads: Samuel Colt 1814-1862 On the grounds which his tastes beautified by the home he loved this memorial stands to speak of his genius, his enterprise and his success and of his great and loyal heart." His wife in faithful affection dedicates this memorial 1905 The memorial was commissioned by Colt's wife Elizabeth. Had this memorial been in better condition, I would have given it 5 stars because of its unique nature, but its poor condition made me adjust the rating down to 4 stars.

Towards the "bottom" of Riverside Park on one of the paths that is close to the river not far from…read morethe I-84 bridge is this simple statue. It is a tribute to the first "pardoned turkey," a tradition that goes back at least as far as President Abraham Lincoln. As to why it's in Connecticut, it's a bit of a stretch. Lincoln's pardoned turkey was actually gifted to the First Family in 1863, just a month after the president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Though meant to be Christmas dinner that year, the turkey was quickly adopted by Tad Lincoln, the president's 10-year-old son. Tad named the bird Jack and trained it to follow him all over the White House. When the time came to slaughter and eat Jack, Tad begged his father to spare the creature's life. Lincoln, ever indulgent of his youngest child, wrote a note "pardoning" Jack and gave it to Tad, who showed it to the head chef, thus granting a reprieve for the beloved pet. In 2005, as part of a riverfront revitalization effort in downtown Hartford, the Lincoln Financial Group sponsored 16 sculptures along the Connecticut River. The series commemorates the life and achievements of the insurance and investment company's namesake. A coincidence as just a few days ago, I saw another turkey statue in Virginia - https://www.yelp.com/biz/rockingham-county-turkey-statue-plains?hrid=ep6u8rIZfpIbscLhcF6GhQ. Small world? [Review 15164 overall, 666 of 2021, number 20 in Connecticut.]

This is a statue of a turkey that was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln. We were in Hartford Connecticut…read moreand we like to see random statues and landmarks so we had to come see this turkey. Basically it was the holiday season and Abraham Lincoln decided to pardon this turkey and they named it I think tad turkey or something like that and he was pardon free for the holidays

I'm always at Mills Pond Park and the Canton Gate is near the entrance to this park. Thanks to Dan…read moreR.'s (FTR) review, I will add my input. It's on top of a small hill so it's not hard to miss. When I first saw it, I was curious and had to investigate. The structure looked old with quite a bit of rust on it; it looked like an abstract artwork because I couldn't tell what it's supposed to be. I saw fish engraved on it and what looked like a doorway. In the early 1990s, this 17-ft sculpture was created by David Boyajian; it was a gift to the town by the Canton Creative Arts Council. It was dedicated in September 1992. The town of Canton's notable landmarks are the Collins axe Factory and the Farmington River; this was where the inspiration for the sculpture came from per the sculptor. Overall, a decent structure where I like to take a moment, ponder, and reflect.

"Brown eyed girl, precious flower We have come to this…read morefateful hour And our love cannot wait Meet me at the gate" (Black Crowes) When you drive up the entrance to Mills Pond Park, you'll see an imposing structure on a hill to your right. There sits a 17-foot-high bronze and steel sculpture known as the Canton Gate. Its backstory dates to the '90's when the Canton Creative Arts Council decided to build something to thank their supporters. They sponsored a competition for local artists to submit their public art entries. The 1992 winning entry was crafted by David Boyajian, an artist and teacher from Hartford. His abstract design honors and incorporates historical, natural, and architectural elements of Canton, the Farmington River and the Collins Company factory. I saw a limestone block that represents the river bottom, images of birds, fish, cascading waters, and a door inspired by the one at an old local axe factory. While researching this review, I learned a cool fact - the artwork is listed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database. Now that's pretty cool, don't you think?

If you're from Connecticut, don't answer this…read more If you aren't from Connecticut, let me ask you a question. Why was Connecticut's Charter Oak famous? Why was it famous enough that it became a symbol of American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter? It's not really the Charter Oak that's important, but rather, what was hidden inside of it and the circumstances of HOW that object was hidden. In 1687, representatives of the Crown and 60 soldiers entered Hartford's House of Assembly. They declared that the colonial government was now dissolved and demanded possession of the King's Charter of Connecticut. And then the stuff of legend happened. Someone blew out the candles, and an American patriot by the name of Captain Wadsworth grabbed the Charter, ran it out of the building, and hid it in the hollow of a big old oak tree. This is the story of the Charter Oak! The original Charter Oak was destroyed by a storm in 1856. Fast forward 120 years to 1976, when an oak tree was planted in Simsbury in celebration of the American bicentennial. That oak tree was a descendant of the original Connecticut charter oak. The plaque in front of the tree reads: Connecticut Charter Oak Descendent Planted In Commemoration Of The Celebration Of The Bicentennial Of The United States Of America July 4, 1976 The Simsbury Bicentennial Committee Jackson F. Eno, Chairman

"I pretend to hold you to my breast and find That you're…read morewaitin' from the backroads by the rivers of my memories Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind" (Glen Campbell) As you travel along S. Main Street, approach West Hartford Town Hall, and more or less cross Memorial Road and the outskirts of Blue Back Square, you really can't miss the Three Gentle Spirits sculptures. They are a trio of very realistic looking life-size bronze horse sculptures crafted by local artist Karen Petersen. The statues have an interesting history. They were originally installed by the Art League in 2008. They fell into disrepair, were refurbished through a crowd sourcing effort, and were permanently relocated here in a 2013 dedication ceremony. The black stylized horses are quite an eye-catching display of public art, as they seemingly graze on a grassy meadow without a care in the world -- oblivious to the heavy traffic on South Main.

"If I were a painter And could paint a memory…read moreI'd climb inside the swirling skies to be with you" (Norah Jones) In the vicinity of the Avon Village Center shopping complex, roughly between Avon's Whole Foods and Police Station, you'll find a paved path. Its the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail portion of the East Coast Greenway. And as you walk the path towards Route 44, you'll come across an underpass with a very pretty decorative mural. It a sunrise/sunset nature pictorial with hand painted flowers, vines, stars, mushrooms, and even rock walls The mural is the creation of local artists Christy Hickey and her daughter Olivia. The mural was commissioned by Bike Walk Avon CT and I read that several anonymous Avon residents donated the paint and assorted materials to craft the mural. The best way to see it is to park in the extreme right side (facing the store) of the Whole Food lot, take the iron railed staircase down, and walk to the right towards Route 44. It's an unexpected splash of color and creativity that was badly needed inside a drab concrete underpass!

"You used to call me the top You put me up on the throne…read moreYou let me fall with a drop And now I'm out on my own" (Billie Holiday) Fans of Game of Thrones know the Iron Throne in Westeros was made from the surrendered swords of enemies. Today I learned the White Oak Leaf Throne in Hartford's Bushnell Park was made from the Hoadley Oak. It was a dead 180-year-old White Oak tree that was a park eyesore. On September 10, 2024, it became the latest piece of public art to join the dozens of attractions and monuments spread across the park. Local artist Tao LaBossiere transformed that huge dead tree into a 9 1/2-foot-tall throne with ornate carvings all over its surface. The structure was sealed with five coats of marine-grade urethane to protect it from the elements. You'll find it on the east side of the park by Jewell Street. The throne has landing steps at the front, so you can climb up, and have a seat for a few minutes of solitude or an epic photo op. PRO TIP The Hoadley Oak is believed to be a descendant of Connecticut's historic Charter Oak. In an early act of resistance against the British, in 1662, Connecticut colonists hid their colony's Royal Charter in that tree to keep it safe.

According to one legend, a man admitted himself into Hartford Hospital after a heart attack. He…read moretold his dog, right outside of the door to the hospital, to "Stay." The dog sat and waited. The man eventually died in the hospital (according to one version of the story, at least), but his faithful dog, named Rover, never moved from the spot. Although various hospital staff attempted to cajole, tempt, or bribe the loyal pup, he refused to move. Many of the staff grew to love the dog and tried to take him home out of the rain and wind and hard cement spot he sat and lay on day after day, but he never moved. There is a happier version that I prefer. The man stayed in the hospital for over a month and finally left, the dog was overjoyed at the man's return after his long, agonizing wait. In another version the man came to the hospital for a weekly treatment with his dog who waited at the spot each time, never distracted by the cars, pigeons, or children passing by tempting him with food. Regardless of the true story, Hartford Hospital erected this statue to the memory of Rover outside the hospital entrance. According to the hospital, the story of Rover represents love, devotion, and commitment. Keeping the story alive inspires the hospital to exhibit these same qualities in treating its patients, families, and community. If the story seems familiar, it's the same as the Japanese Hachiko and I've been to that monument in Tokyo, https://www.yelp.com/biz/忠犬ハチ公像-渋谷区-2?hrid=hpVFbORIuzva6JpkXDh0-g. The statue of Rover is mounted on a small granite block and therefore is somewhat mobile if they want to put it elsewhere. At this time, it's to the left in front of the windows as you would walk into the main entrance. [Review 15173 overall, 675 of 2021, number 27 in Connecticut.]

While we are in Hartford we like to stop by and look at the landmarks in different unique statues…read moreand things. This is the statue of Rover. I looked up the story of Rover and it was a sad one the one I read. It was about a man that went in the hospital and told his dog to stay outside and the dog stayed with me and died in the hospital and the dog still stayed and did not ever leave and then I guess eventually died so that's a sad story but the people of Hartford decide to make a little statue at a rover and the old story