Civil War Monument: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch - Hartford, CT

Soldiers and Sailors 

Memorial Arch

Hartford, CT

N 41° 45.931 W 072° 40.796

Short Description: 

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch is located in Bushnell Park on Trinity Street south of Ford Street in Hartford.

Long Description:

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, the first permanent triumphal arch erected in America, is dedicated to the men from Hartford who served in the Civil War. The arch is 116' high, 30' wide and 67' in circumference. It was create by a large team of artists: Albert Entress, Caspar Buberl, Samuel James Kitson - sculptors; George W. Keller - architect; Hiram Bissell, Augustus Budde - contractors; Boston Terra Cotta Company - fabricator. The arch was dedicated September 17, 1886.

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial is a Gothic style arch featuring two medieval towers joined by a classical frieze that encircles the arch. The north frieze depicts events of the the war. General Grant is on the far right observing battle scenes involving infantry, cavalry and marines. The south frieze depicts the peace following the war. A allegorical female figure representing the City of Hartford is in the center. To either side citizens gathered to welcome home returning soldiers. On the north side of the arch are a Navy anchor, Artillery cannons. On the south side are Calvary crossed sabers, and Infantry crossed rifles. A farmer, blacksmith, mason, student, carpenter, and African-American male breaking the chains of bondage are located in niches on the towers. Each tower is topped by a finial of a bronze angel, one playing a trumpet, the other cymbals.

On the southeast side a tablet is inscribed:

IN HONOR

OF THE MEN OF HARTFORD

WHO SERVED

AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL

ON LAND AND ON SEA

IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION

THEIR GRATEFUL TOWNSMEN

HAVE RAISED THIS MEMORIAL

On the southwest side a tablet is inscribed:

DURING THE CIVIL WAR

1861-1865

MORE THAN 4,000 MEN OF HARTFORD

BORE ARMS IN THE NATIONAL CAUSE

NEARLY 400 OF WHOM

DIED IN THE SERVICE

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ERECTED 1885

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GEORGE KELLER, ARCHITECT          CASPER BUBERL & SAMUEL KITSON SCULPTORS