The Cenotaph:
A Significant Branford Monument
In June of 1923, a special
committee was appointed at the monthly Branford Town meeting and was charged
with the selection and location of an appropriate World War memorial.
The committee chose a site behind Town Hall where the town jail stood.
The area had become a "dumping ground" for coal, ashes and other debris.
Cleaning up the site and, at the same time, erecting a beautiful setting
and sheltered location would serve many purposes as well as a memorial.
A proposed outdoor semi-formal amphitheater with the memorial as a back
drop was envisioned. Plays, concerts, high school graduations and public
events could be put on in the amphitheater. The natural location of the
Green, using a system of grading, terracing and plantings, could be made
into a semi-circular bowl.
Andre Smith, a World War veteran, noted artist, architect and member of
the committee, was asked to design the memorial. He served as a captain
of engineers, the arts and science division. Smith sketched pictures for
official military intelligence records, which required him to show the
type of war damage to the terrain.
In its beginning stages, the design called for a slightly raised platform
backed by an ornamental wall, the central section of which would contain
a monument bearing an appropriate inscription. The design was to be simple
and dignified. At this time, the United States government commissioned
Andre Smith to create a medal for distinguished service in times of war.
The medal was called the Distinguished Service Cross, still awarded to
our military today. A replica of the Distinguished Service Cross forms
the central carving on the Cenotaph. The inscription "Pro Patria (for
one's country) 1917-1918" is the only other marking on the memorial. The
Cenotaph itself represents a tomb for those of the military who did not
return home for burial. There are three stone steps leading to a raised
stone platform with a large American Legion star in the center. The ten-pointed
star is the American Legion logo. All the original plans for the memorial
and the amphitheater were never implemented.
Plans are currently underway to restore the Cenotaph. The passage of time,
weather and neglect have taken its toll. Original blueprints, correspondence,
minutes and drawings of the Cenotaph have been found and are of tremendous
value in the assessment of the Cenotaph and its need for restoration.
-- Winnifred Judge, Board Member