Travel in Time with Dan: Uncovering the History and Sacrifice at America’s First Memorial Arch
Hello everyone! This is Dan Blanchard with the Travel in Time with Dan Show, where we combine travel, history, and leadership. Today, we are stopping in Hartford, Connecticut, to explore the incredible Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch located in beautiful Bushnell Park.
This magnificent structure is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture; it is a profound monument to sacrifice and history.
America’s First Permanent Memorial Arch
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch holds a unique place in American history: it is the first permanent memorial arch in the entire United States. Built in 1886, the arch commemorates the Civil War, coinciding with the anniversary of Antietam.
The reason this memorial was constructed stems from the profound sacrifice made by the city of Hartford. Hartford sent 4,000 of its citizens to fight in the Civil War, and tragically, about one in every ten was killed, totaling 400 casualties. The arch stands as a permanent tribute to this immense sacrifice.
(While there is another memorial arch in Brooklyn, New York, that looks somewhat similar, featuring an arch but lacking the distinct towers, that structure was built around 1889, a few years after Hartford’s arch, confirming this one as the nation’s first).
The Architect and His Eternal Resting Place
The arch was the brainchild of George Keller, who lived in the Hartford area of Connecticut and was known for his work on cemeteries and various miscellaneous projects. When offered the opportunity to design the memorial arch, he enthusiastically embraced it.
Keller built the arch primarily using beautiful brownstone. This stone was sourced locally from the brownstone quarry in Portland, Connecticut. (Today, that former quarry is filled with water and operates as an adventure water park).
In a fascinating turn of events, George Keller never truly left his creation. When he died, he was cremated, and his ashes are actually interred inside the arch’s east tower. His wife, who was also cremated, rests next to him.
Architectural Details: From Normandy to the Northmen
If you look up, you will notice the two imposing Norman Towers. These towers utilize architecture derived from Normandy, France. Some of you may remember the Normandy beaches from the D-Day Invasion of WWII. Back to our beautiful arch and Norman towers, follow this string, the term “Normandy” originates from “Norman,” which itself traces back to “Northmen,” or the Vikings. Thus, you could accurately describe these striking towers on the Hartford arch as “Viking towers”.
The structure is packed with symbolism, which includes the frieze. The frieze is a type of running, decorative architecture that stretches across the top sections of the arch. This sophisticated architectural element can be seen in many man-made structures, including Yankee Stadium.
Symbolism of War and Peace
The arch features detailed symbolism throughout.
- The North Side: Symbolizes the fighting of the Civil War. Here you will find representations of General Grant and the Marines, among other elements symbolizing the conflict.
- The South Side: Represents peace. This side depicts a woman and soldiers returning home.
As you walk around the Memorial Arch, you will see six prominent 8-foot statues. These statues represent the people of Hartford—the citizens who went off to war. The six figures are:
- A student.
- A farmer.
- A freed slave. (A powerful reminder that the Civil War was fundamentally about freeing the slaves).
- A stonemason.
- A carpenter.
- A blacksmith.
These statues honor the 4,000 people from Hartford who served and the 400 who paid the ultimate price.
The Leadership Lesson
The Travel in Time with Dan show is about mixing travel, history, and leadership. Standing here in Bushnell Park, looking at this enduring monument, two important leadership questions come to mind:
- “What am I building that’s going to outlast me?”. This arch, built in 1886, is the first memorial arch in the country, demonstrating incredible permanence.
- “How do I honor those who have gone before me to lift up those who are coming later?”. The very statues—the student, the farmer, the freed slave, the stonemason, the carpenter, and the blacksmith—illustrate the idea of lifting all people up, which was definitely the core purpose of the Civil War.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
*Check out Dan’s book, “Travel in Time in Connecticut”: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Time-Co...
*Watch Dan’s YouTube video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2BH1F5znWQ&t=2s
*Listen to Dan’s podcast on this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Jja0zfjqSmwKNnw6awzUB?si=ywt14dmwRZ-NwdVt_kZSCw
*See Dan’s Interview with George Keller: (Coming Soon)
*Learn more about Dan: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/