World War I Memorial, (sculpture).

World War I Memorial, (sculpture).

Magonigle, Harold Van Buren, 1867-1935, architect.

Hayes Construction Company, fabricator.

John Donnelly, Inc., carver.

R. Menconi, Inc., modeler.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

Galassi Company, fabricator.

Perry Bros. Granite Company, contractor.

Central Oolitic Stone Company, contractor.

World War I Memorial, (sculpture).

World War I Monument, (sculpture).

1926. Dedicated Sept. 22, 1928.

Digital Reference:

Stone with copper decorations.

Sculpture: approx. H. 90 ft. x Diam. 12 ft.; Base: approx. H. 2 ft. x Diam. 24 ft.

(Base of shaft:) H. Van Buren Magonigle/Hayes Construction Co. Builders (Base of shaft:) MDCCCCXXVII/THE CITY OF NEW BRITAIN/HERE RECORDS WITH PRIDE/THAT OF HER CITIZENS/MORE THAN FOVR THOUSAND/SERVED IN/THE WORLD WAR/1917-1918/TO HER SONS/WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES TO THEIR COVNTRY/IN THE WORLD WAR/THEIR NAMES ARE HERE INSCRIBED/THEIR MEMORY LIVES IN THE HEART OF/A GRATEFVL CITY signed Founder's mark appears.

A tall draped obelisk with two eagles carved back to back on the top portion. The obelisk has a flag wrapped around a shaft, with twelve drapes of the flag acting as the fluting of the column. The obelisk sits in a small courtyard contained with a low circular wall. Two large urns with butterfly motifs contain floodlights to illuminate the piece.

The laurel and oak garlands at the foot of the shaft are symbols of Victory; the other of strength or courage. The open wreath of ivy at the cornerstone tablet signifies constancy. At the corner of this tablet are emblems of the Army, the Navy, the Red Cross, and Industry and Agriculture. The butterfly motif on the lighting fixtures is emblematic of resurrection and immortality. The wreath around every name tablet in the Roll of Honor is of laurel, and the rosette between is the flower of the poppy. Each roll of honor is terminated by the palm of the martyr.

History -- United States -- World War I

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- New Britain

Administered by City of New Britain, Department of Parks and Recreation, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut 06051

Located Walnut Hill Park, New Britain, Connecticut

IAS files contain a photocopy of the dedication program and related materials discussing the original commissioning of the piece and its symbolic references. Over 4,000 residents of New Britain fought in World War I, and of these, 123 lost their lives. In 1919, the city of New Britain erected a Memorial Arch and Court of Honor at the entrance to Walnut Hill Park, but in 1922 a more permanent memorial was put under consideration. Ground was broken for the memorial on April 11, 1927. The cornerstone was laid on July 20, 1927, and the monument was completed and dedicated on Sept. 22, 1928.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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