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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE AT ISLAND GROVE PARK, ABINGTON, MA.

The War Memorial Bridge at Island Grove Park here in Abington was
built and dedicated as part of the 1912 Bicentennial of the town's founding.
It was thought a fitting place for a Civil War memorial because Island
Grove had been favorite gathering place for the New England Abolitionist
movement to hold gatherings. William Lloyd Garrison often spoke here
and in fact if you watch some of the early episodes of the History Detectives
they show a flyer announcing an event at Island Grove Park that Garrison
appeared at that day.

Time and the elements are showing a bit on the arch but people still cross over
the pond to the park using the bridge!




I took these photos a few weeks ago over the course of two days. The figures
depict a soldier and a sailor, and the inscription reads:

"Abington to her sons who offered their lives for the Union 1861-1865."

We'll be celebrating Abington's 300th birthday next year! I'm wondering how
we'll be doing that?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog and great photos!

In answer to what will happen to honor our Civil War soldiers and the 300th Anniversary of Abington, MA, a subcommittee has been created and is run by Robyn Fernald of Abington.
I am also serving on the committee as a member of the 22nd MA Volunteer Infantry, Co.D. - US Sanitary Commission - Boston Branch who will be running a Civil War encampment the weekend of September 21-23, 2012.
There will be Union and Confederate units there at the event, many of whom belong to the Rockland GAR Hall.

The Arch Ceremony will be on Sept 22. Details are still being ironed out. It is my hope to recreate some small parts of the grand procession Mr. Hobarth (town historian) wrote about when North, East, South and Abington proper celebrated the end of the war.

If you are interested in more information about us, here are some links thru Facebook
Island Grove Encampment Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/182123475221746/

22nd MA Vol. Infantry Co. D.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/22ndmass/

US Sanitary Commission - Boston Branch
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136253156395042/