Connecticut History Museum

Predictions:

• I predict that the coin collection will give information concerning the symbolism and origin of the coins used in revolutionary and present-day America.
• I predict that the Connecticut in World War I exhibit will show me the essential weapons and vessels the U.S. used and the venerable people who showed great patriotism during the war.

Visit:

At the museum, I visited the Connecticut in World War I exhibit and the Mitchelson Coin Collection. The Connecticut in World War I exhibit focused mainly on vessels and key heroic figures from Connecticut that made a difference during the war. A main part of the exhibit was the model of the U.S.S. Connecticut. This huge ship sailed off the coast of Virginia and carried more than 1,000 shipmen who patrolled over the sea in case of attack. The other part of the exhibit commemorated the soldiers, nurses, and women who made uniforms for soldiers were some of the people that stood out in the exhibit. Soldiers were remembered for their brave service, nurses for their constant aid to the wounded, and Women on the Homefront who sewed and knitted the clothes for soldiers overseas. As all commemorations were directed toward important vessels and people from Connecticut, the museum shows their value for the venerable people and objects who served an important purpose during the time of the war.

The Mitchelson Coin Collection, as predicted, displayed the evolution of the many coins used throughout American history. Dimes, quarters, gold dollars, silver dollars, twenty dollar gold coins, ten dollar gold coins, and five dollar gold coins are just a few displayed at the exhibit. Coins from specific states were even shown from the time when states developed their own currency. States like Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia had their own coins with unique engravings on them. These engravings usually depended on who constructed the coin. Based on this display, the museum demonstrates their value for the various currencies used back in Revolutionary America and the history of the coins we use today.

What influenced people to make their own coins?

Was the U.S.S. Connecticut one of many ships who patrolled the coast or were their multiple? Are there any hidden features of the ship that make it so unique?

World War 1 Memorial

Over the summer, I had a chance to visit a World War I memorial in my town, Southampton New York. This memorial was erected in 1923 to commemorate the fallen soldiers from Southampton during the war. Listed on the walls of the structure are the names of three hundred and twenty-five soldiers that had passed during the war from Southampton. This site pays a contribution to the soldiers’ service and dedication, as they sacrificed their lives for the victory of the United States. Observing the quantity of names on the walls was eye-opening, especially to see how many people had died from one single place. Also carved in the walls were the shields of the various allies that aided in the conquering of the other central powers. The Special Committee to the Village of Southampton has a quote about the memorial saying, “The memorials of the War  which are erected in this country should be of such character that for a century to come they will be objects of beauty and veneration.” This quote signifies that this monument acts, and should continue to act, as an everlasting remembrance of the supreme sacrifices exhibited by the soldiers. This monument is repeatedly renovated and restored, further showing the dedication of the Southampton Village to keep up the monument.

I also had a couple questions about the memorial. Why is there only a roof atop the main structure and not the other branching two? Is there a reason for this? Is the monument modeled after a temple because it has that sort of look and feel to it?

http://www.aaqeastend.com/contents/agawam-park-world-war-memorial-dedicated-1923

Click to access WWIMonumentRestoration.pdf