Derby History Quiz

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On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread
And glory guards, with solemn sounds
The Bivouac of the Dead

Click here to see pictures of the work on 2018 restoration and here for the rededication.

Though the Derby Green received a major face lift years ago, it's most prominent monument also needed a major face lift. The Soldiers Monument commemorating the Civil War - referred to as the "War of the Rebellion" on the monument itself reflecting the prevailing mood of the time was showing signs of its age, and some major repair work was in order. Jamie Cohen, a four time class president at Derby High School and former president of the Valley Community Foundation, took on the leadership of this important and successful restoration effort. Click here to see the finished product from Memorial Day, 2018.

In 1875 the Kellogg Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, inaugurated a movement to erect a monument to the men of Derby and Shelton who gave their lives in the War of the Rebellion to preserve "a government of the people, by the people and for the people." It must be remembered that these men were volunteers, conscription was not used until late in the war. The names of the men are inscribed on a brass plaque on the base of the monument. The plaque contains the names of eighty-three men and the poem you see above which was composed by Theodore O'Hara, an Irish Kentuckian.


Monument prior to 1883. Picture courtesy of Joseph Dirienzo.

The original subscription to the monument was $1,500 and the substructure was completed in 1878. The Post planned to add to it at a later date. In 1883 additional pledges of $3,500 were made and a seven foot tall bronze statue of a Union Soldier standing at rest was added. The memorial was dedicated July 4, 1883 amid a great fanfare, a parade and approximately 8,000 people in attendance. The cannons were donated later and rest at the base of the monument

Information from Ed McCall

Correct answers were received from: Ann Searles, C.F. Douglass, Mayor Marc Garofalo, Randy Ritter and Marsha Pettingill.

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