Travel in Time with Dan: Fictional Interview with George Keller, Architect of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch (1830–1935)
Dan: Hello everyone! This is Dan Blanchard with the Travel in Time with Dan Show, where we mix travel, history, and leadership. Today, I’m standing in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, at one of the most iconic landmarks in the city — the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park. This breathtaking structure, built in 1886, was the first permanent memorial arch in the entire United States. And today, I’m honored to “sit down” with the man behind it — architect George Keller himself. Welcome, Mr. Keller.
George Keller: Thank you, Dan. It brings me great joy to know that people still visit this arch, not merely to admire its design, but to remember the sacrifices it represents. Architecture, you see, is not just about beauty — it’s about meaning.
Dan: Let’s start with that meaning. Why did you choose to design this incredible monument?
George Keller: Hartford’s contribution to the Civil War was profound — 4,000 of its citizens went to fight, and 400 never returned. Those were fathers, sons, craftsmen, and students — ordinary people who made extraordinary sacrifices. After the war, the community wanted something enduring to honor them. When I was offered the opportunity to design such a monument, I saw it as more than a commission — it was a sacred duty.
Dan: And you certainly fulfilled that duty. This arch is stunning — and historic. It was the first memorial arch in the nation. Tell me about your design choices.
George Keller: I wanted the structure to be both solemn and uplifting. I chose Connecticut brownstone, quarried from Portland, not far from here. Its deep hue symbolizes strength and permanence. Ironically, that quarry has now been transformed into a water park — life moves on, even as the stone remains. The two Norman towers draw from architecture found in Normandy, France — or as you might trace it further back, to the Northmen, the Vikings. So, in a sense, these towers stand as “Viking towers” — guardians of memory, watching over Hartford.
Dan: That’s fascinating. The design feels almost alive — full of symbolism.
George Keller: Indeed. Every inch of the arch tells a story. The frieze that runs across the upper section — that long, ornate band — is not merely decoration. It connects the two towers like the threads of history connecting generations. On the north side, you see depictions of war: General Grant, soldiers, and Marines. On the south side, you find peace — a woman welcoming home the soldiers. The contrast reminds us that war and peace are eternally intertwined, and both require sacrifice.
Dan: And then there are the six incredible 8-foot statues — so lifelike, so human.
George Keller: Yes, those figures were essential to me. They represent the people of Hartford who went off to fight: a student, a farmer, a freed slave, a stonemason, a carpenter, and a blacksmith. These were the real citizens of Hartford — not mythical heroes, but everyday people whose courage built and defended our nation. The inclusion of the freed slave was particularly meaningful. The Civil War, at its heart, was about freedom — and his presence makes that purpose undeniable.
Dan: There’s such deep humanity in that symbolism. You even chose to rest here, within the arch itself, correct?
George Keller: Yes, that’s true. My wife and I were both cremated, and our ashes rest inside the east tower. I felt there was no better place for my remains than within the monument that embodies my life’s purpose — remembrance. It’s as though a part of me remains forever standing watch over those who gave everything.
Dan: That’s poetic — and powerful. When I stand here and look up at this magnificent structure, I can’t help but think about leadership. What kind of leadership do you see reflected in this arch?
George Keller: Leadership that endures, Dan. This monument poses two questions every leader should ask themselves. First: “What am I building that will outlast me?” The men and women memorialized here built freedom — something that endures long after their lifetimes. And second: “How am I honoring those who came before me while lifting up those who come after?” These figures — the student, the craftsman, the freed slave — remind us that progress is never solitary. Leadership means honoring the past while creating opportunity for the future.
Dan: That’s a message that resonates deeply even today.
George Keller: Indeed. The arch stands not only as a symbol of sacrifice, but as a challenge to every generation. Will you build something that lasts? Will you remember those who gave so much so you could stand free? True leadership is found in remembrance — in gratitude turned into action.
Dan: Beautifully said. Mr. Keller, thank you for your vision and for this timeless tribute that continues to inspire us all.
George Keller: Thank you, Dan. If this arch helps people remember the cost of freedom and the value of service, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
Dan: Here in Bushnell Park, Hartford’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch stands as both art and testimony — a monument not just of stone, but of spirit. It reminds us that leadership is about legacy, and that the things we build — whether monuments or moments of compassion — can outlast us all.
