World War I Monuments of Connecticut with Richard Donohue
Please join us on Monday, November 12th for an afternoon program at 4PM.
As the First World War ended, American communities hurried to memorialize the great efforts of their sons and daughters. Changes in cultural and civic ideals since the American Civil War led to extensive public discourse about what memorials should and should not be. Government leaders, artists, historians, and the monument industry itself promoted ideas from simple tablets to monoliths rivaling those of Egypt and Rome. Memorials throughout Connecticut exemplify this entire range of monumental styles. Goshen's memorial is an exquisitely sculptured tablet that has a connection to at least 6 others in the State of Connecticut.
Having visited and catalogued more than 220 monuments throughout the 169 towns in Connecticut, Richard Franklin Donohue will display images of the monuments and explore trends in their design and placement, with special emphasis placed on the memorials of the hosting town and vicinity.
Richard Franklin Donohue is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut. His original research has formed the basis of museum exhibits, travelling lectures, and living history programs on topics ranging from 18th-century slavery to Civil War-era subscription balls to early 20th-century marine engines. As President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society for nearly fifteen years and a teacher in both public and private schools for twenty-five, he strives to enhance his town's interest and participation in local and national history. In addition to his work with history, Richard is a tenor soloist specializing in Middle English Carols, Bach arias, and German Lieder and is the director of the 1876 Singing Society at Mystic Seaport.
The Goshen Public Library has been serving the residents of Goshen and the surrounding communities since 1902. The Library can be found at 42 North Street in Goshen CT 06756. Call to register for the workshop at 860-491-3234.
