This monument was unveiled in 1888 and the infantryman on top faces south, hands on his upturned…read morerifle. He appears to be dressed in appropriate Civil War garb. Below him, the dedication reads "Suffield erects this memorial in honor of her citizen soldiers who died serving their country that the Union might be preserved. 1861-65." The East face of monument lists the 31 Suffield residents lost in the War Between the States. It also mentions Sharpsburg where the bloody 1862 Battle of Antietam was fought. The north face bears an intricate state of Connecticut seal and honors Fort Wagner in South Carolina. The west face displays crossed cannon representing the artillery and lists Andersonville, a town of Georgia where a large Confederate prisoner of war camp was built. The monument is located on a grass square to the south of Kent Memorial Library where there is parking. [Review 15195 overall, 697 of 2021, number 45 in Connecticut.]

Standing in the Town Green where Routes 159 and 168 cross stands a granite sculpture of a Union…read moresoldier. The soldier and the pedestal must be at least 20 feet tall. This memorial was dedicated way back in 1888. The soldier, as in so many of the Civil War memorials I have seen, is holding the barrel of his rifle while the rifle butt rests on the ground. The monument is dedicated to those from Suffield who died in the Civil War. Inscribed on the front panel of the pedestal are the words: SUFFIELD ERECTS THIS MEMORIAL IN HONOR OF HER CITIZEN SOLDIERS, WHO DIED SERVING THEIR COUNTRY, THAT THE UNION MIGHT BE PRESERVED. 1861 - 65. There is also an inscription In the stone border above the panels that reads: 1888 SHARPSBURG FT. WAGNER ANDERSONVILLE The memorial's inscriptions are becoming difficult to read, I guess this can be expected since it is 125 years old. There is also a civil war cannon standing on the Town Green in close proximity to the memorial.

This blue historic marker stands proudly in front of the Kent Memorial Library near the Suffield…read moreHistoric District. It is in decent shape and there is parking in the bank shopping center if you're nearby. The marker points out the founding of the town and some early history on one side and a list of famous Suffieldians on the other. On the front, "Suffield. In 1670 through a grant to John Pynchon, Suffield, formerly Southfield, originated as a township of Massachusetts because of a surveying error. Mindwell Old, the first child, was born in 1674, the year the town was incorporated. The town meeting has been the single form of government since 1682. By 1704 a church and a school had been built on the common. In 1749 Suffield became part of Connecticut, The American cigar industry was started here by Simeon Viets in 1810, and tobacco continues to be major crop. Early emigrants went to Vermont and Ohio, where several were elected to high offices. The Connecticut Baptist Literary Institution of I833 is now Suffield Academy. The school and the town have produced many leaders in religion, education, politics, insurance, agriculture, and business as well as the arts. In 1976, the Bicentennial year. Suffield has 9700 residents and 43.I square miles." On the reverse, "Suffield. These are among the many of Suffield who have given of themselves for others. PHINEHAS LYMAN 1716-1774, Commander of colonial troops 1754-1760 EBENEZER GAY 1718-1796, Congregational Church Pastor 1742-1793 TIMOTHY SWAN 1758-1843, Composer of sacred music, including "China" SETH PEASE 1764-1819, Surveyor of the Connecticut Western Reserve GIDEON GRANGER. JR. 1767-1822, United States Postmaster General 1801-1814 ASAHEL MORSE 1772-1838, Author of religious freedom in Connecticut SYLVESTER GRAHAM 1794-1851, Inventor of graham crackers and bread HENRY SYKES 1810-1860, Architect and builder WILLIS ADAMS 1844-1921, Painter of American landscapes OLIN WARNER 1844-1896, Artist sculptor Erected by the Town of Suffield the American Bicentennial Commission of Suffield and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1976." And yes, I do like Graham crackers. Henry Sikes designed the Second Baptist Church in 1840 (still in use) and several buildings at Amherst College. I'm sure I've seen Willis Adams' work in museums in my travels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Seaver_Adams. [Review 15194 overall, 696 of 2021, number 44 in Connecticut.]

Graham Crackers. If…read moreyou love graham crackers, you can thank Suffield. (Keep reading) This is a 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background, It's located in a strip of grass on Route 75 in front of a bank. It tells us that Suffield was not only first named Southfield, but it was originally a part of Massachusetts due to some shoddy surveying back in the day, way back in 1670. The town was incorporated in 1674, the same year that the town's first baby was born -the baby had the awesome name of Mindwell Old. The plaque says that the American cigar industry was started here, and to this day tobacco remains an important local crop, Over the years, Suffield has "produced many leaders in religion, education, politics, insurance, agriculture, business, as well as the arts". The reverse of the plaque lists some of the most accomplished Sons of Suffield who benefited the country. One of the more amazing names I saw was Sylvester Graham (1794-1851). He is listed as "inventor of graham crackers and bread".

Along the road to the aviation museum on the perimeter of the airport, this memorial to…read moreConnecticut's fallen firefighters stands in front of the Connecticut Fire Academy. Unveiled and dedicated in 2002, the names of firefighters who died in the line of duty are inscribed on the granite tablets around the base of this memorial. The plaza is shaped the symbol of a Maltese cross, the universal symbol of the fire service. The centerpiece is a six-foot by twelve-foot polished black granite stone bearing the likeness of four firefighters fighting a fire. The centerpiece rests on a base of concrete and gray granite with panels that list the names. Too many names. Atop the base is an eternal flame. There are eight benches around the memorial, one for each of Connecticut's eight counties. To the side, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center that is tribute to the New York firefighters who perished on 9/11. I can not think of a better place for this to have been located than in front of the Fire Academy. [Review 15192 overall, 694 of 2021, number 42 in Connecticut.]

The CT Fire Academy is home for training and educational programs for the state's firefighters. But…read moreits also home to the awesome Fallen Firefighter Memorial that honors all of the Connecticut firefighters that have died in the line of duty. The monument is a 6 foot by 12 foot, 13 ton slab of black granite. The front of the monument contains an etched image of four firefighters standing in a line, holding a fire hose as they battle a blaze. An eternal flame burns in silent memory for those lost. The statue was dedicated in 2001 and contains over 300 names. The reverse of the monument contains a fireman's crest above an inscription that reads "In Memory of those Firefighters Who Have Given Their Lives In the Line of Duty". Around the memorial's base are 20 slabs listing the names of those remembered. There are eight benches surrounding the memorial, one for each county in Connecticut. On September 25, 2011, the memorial was expanded to include a beam from the World Trade Center, as a reminder of the 343 New York Firefighters lost on September 11th. I was greatly affected by the beauty of the granite memorial, the eternal flame, and the steel beam from New York City. Its a lovely memorial.

The Enfield Soldiers' Monument is a 6' high figure of a Union soldier. It was dedicated by the City…read moreof Enfield way back in 1885. The soldier has a mustache and holds his rifle. He stands on a huge 4-sided base that's decorated with all kinds of things; a sculpture of an eagle and shield, and the military symbols for different branches of the armed forces. Some of the symbols are an anchor for the Navy, two crossed sabers representing cavalry, crossed cannons for artillery and a bugle for infantry. There are four plaques at the base of the statue -two for the Civil War and two that were added on years later. One each for World War I and World War II. A plaque on the front reads: IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF ENFIELD WHO ON LAND AND SEA PERILED THEIR LIVES FOR UNION AND LIBERTY, 1861-1865 ---------- ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF ENFIELD A.D. 1885. The other plaques are dedicated to those who died at the infamous Andersonville prison during the Civil War, and those lost in WWI and WWII. The respective inscriptions read: ROLL OF HONOR KILLED IN BATTLE {Ten names} DIED FROM WOUNDS {Fourteen names} DIED IN SERVICE AT ANDERSONVILLE PRISON, GA. {Fifteen names} IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR FOR WORLD-WIDE LIBERTY 1917-1919 KILLED IN ACTION {Eight names} DIED IN SERVICE {Six names, the last is a female Red Cross nurse} ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF ENFIELD 1922 World War II Plaque ROLL OF HONOR DIED IN SERVICE {Fifteen Names}

The Armed Services Memorial is located directly in front of City Hall on the Town Green…read more It consists of three stone monuments dedicated to the veterans of four wars. One of the wars has not yet been concluded. The left monument is dedicated to the World War II vets from 1941-1946. It reads: "To the memory of those who served in World War II on land - on sea - in the air 1941-1946 Those who paid the supreme sacrifice (56 names inscribed) The right monument reads: To the memory of those who served In the Korean Conflict 1950 -1955 In the Vietnam War 1964-1975 Those who paid the supreme sacrifice ( 4 names inscribed for each war) The Center monument is taller than the others. It has an American Eagle on the top. The engraving reads: This memorial erected in honor of The men and women of this community Who served their country in the Armed Forces preserving our freedom and our way of life To the memory of those who served In the global war on terror 2001 - Those who paid the supreme sacrifice (2 names inscribed)

The Enfield Town Green is a bonanza for those that appreciate Veterans monuments. There are three…read morein pretty close proximity of each other. The newest monument was dedicated in 2012 and it honors the broad spectrum of vets from all branches of the service. It isn't dedicated to those of any specific war, so it really honors all vets across the centuries of American history. It's a gorgeous monument made of high-gloss reflective black granite. It consists of eight columns of variable heights that form a sweeping arc. The six middle columns honor a different branch of the armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Each panel carries the respective etched logo and motto for the branch it represents. The two end columns contain these inscriptions. Left Column: "This space is dedicated to the veterans of our community who served the nation in time of danger." Right column: "Some are with us still - Many have gone on ahead - Often they responded to a whisper from within - Others rallied to the call - All gave some - Some gave all." It's an absolutely beautiful monument.

This monument was a joy to conceive. The committee of town folks who worked on it were motivated by…read morea sincere respect for veterans. Some aspects of the design of the monument need to be pointed out. The height of the columns reflect the height of an average person. The sloping tops of the columns and the semi arc of their placement represent "embracing arms". When you stand front and center you will see your reflection in the six major columns. This feature allows the observer to be part of the monument. The overall concept was for the monument to be all inclusive and for all time. The words I wrote for the two flanking columns do not mention a gender, place, time or specific town. As the observer reads the inscription in the "here and now" they realize the inclusiveness of the overall design.

The Town Green in front of Enfield City Hall has a lot going on. There are half a dozen veterans…read moremonuments and this very striking gazebo, known as the Joseph E. O'Connor Gazebo. The gazebo was built in 1984 and was named after Joseph O'Connor, Enfield's mayor from 1981-1985 In many ways, it's a typical gazebo of the kind you've seen a dozen times. It has a brick base, it has white posts and a white railing, it has a steeply pitched octagonal coned wood roof and a white cupola. But what separates this gazebo from its gazebo brothers and sisters is its copper weathervane. Because standing guard on top of this huge cupola is a Revolutionary War drummer perched on a musket! Game, set, match..

Ever hear of Woodward and Saffery? They are major players in the history of Enfield…read more They were surveyors who in 1642 marked the boundary line between Connecticut and Massachusetts. Well, oopsie ! Somehow they made a mistake and messed up the measurement. Maybe they had drank too much grog or something. Fast forward 100 years later, to the year 1749. That's when Enfield corrected their shoddy measurement by seceding from Massachusetts and rightfully joined Connecticut. This marker also gets mega-props for some very cool Indian names. Want an example? Sure, how about Nottatuck? Don't forget Asnuntuck? How about Umquatuck. And of course, Nip 'n Tuck. (Nah just kidding). This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a blue background. The marker dates to 1976 and is in very good shape. It's located on Route 5 at 1294 Enfield Street, right in front of the Enfield Historical Museum at Enfield's Old Town Hall. All in all, this is a pretty nice marker.