ABOUT US

WHAT WE DO AS A SOCIETY AND FOR THE TOWN OF BETHEL

As a nonprofit group, the Bethel Historical Society receives no local, state or federal government support.
We rely on financial support from individuals, fundraisers such as our Antique Appraisal Days, donations,
bequests and publication sales to generate the income needed to fund our activities and provide for the
upkeep of the 1842 Second Meeting House.

Donations of historic photographs, print materials, textiles and other Bethel memorabilia
are appreciated.
For further information on donating please call 203-743-5893 or email us at
president@BethelHistoricalSociety.com

AROUND BETHEL

WHAT WE DO AS A SOCIETY AND FOR THE TOWN OF BETHEL

Civil War Monument:
Dedicated: May 30, 1892
Type: Embellished gray granite stele
Designer, fabricator, supplier: Miller & Luce
Height: 14'
The monument weighs 17 tons
A public subscription raised the first money for SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, Bethel, but it was only a few hundred dollars. A town meeting appropriated $1,000. Total cost of the monument and preparing the grounds came to about $17,000. Source of the additional funds is not known. Henry A. Gilbert was chairman of the monument committee and marshal of the dedication parade.
A special train from Danbury helped bring in the crowd of several thousand people on Dedication Day. Houses along the parade's route were decorated with flags and bunting. Danbury's James E. Moore Post, No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, 75 strong, was followed in the line of march by Sons of Veterans, Bethel Drum Corps, Pavia Council, Knights of Columbus (28 men), and firemen's units.