Harrub Memorial at Chase Park

During the early 1900s, Americans were fascinated with a romanticized view of the colonial period. Their enthusiasm for the colonial past started in 1876 with the centennial celebration of the start of the Revolutionary War. In 1920, when the country celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrim's arrival at Plymouth Rock, the Colonial Revival era was in full swing.

Waterbury inventor and engineer Charles Harrub was enamored with an idealized image of the Pilgrims. Following the death of his wife, Rhoby, in 1921, Harrub began planning a memorial to honor both his wife and the Pilgrims. He died before the monument could be completed, but he left his entire estate to the City of Waterbury, which oversaw the completion of Harrub's vision.

Harrub Pilgrim Memorial, Chase Park, April 2011

The monument's dedication is steeped in early 20th century popular mythology about the Pilgrims, and the late 19th century belief that white Protestant Americans, especially the New England Congregationalists, were God's chosen people: "Moved by the illustrious record of the Pilgrim Fathers, the donor... dedicates this monument to the townspeople of Waterbury, to keep ever in mind the conquest of hardship and adversity, through virile Christian character, and unflinching loyalty to Almighty God, on which was reared the structure of New England."

Sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil was commissioned to create the monument. Based in New York City, MacNeil is remembered for having designed the 1917 quarter, as well as for a series of sculptures depicting Native Americans in classically heroic poses.

The Harrub Memorial was completed in 1930 and unveiled at a ceremony held on October 11, 1930. Although it is now located at the top of Chase Park, off Highland Avenue, the monument was originally placed at the bottom of the hill, facing Freight Street.

Dedication Ceremony, October 11, 1930.
(Collection of Mattatuck Museum)

Chase Park was very different before the construction of Route 8 and I-84 in the 1960s. Much of the park was lost to the highway construction, and an area of tremendous beauty and grandeur was turned into a utilitarian, unkempt roadway and highway interchange. I've posted a pair of "now and then" photos to show the difference:

View looking west from the Freight Street Bridge, 2012.
(Image from Google Maps)

View looking west from the Freight Street Bridge, 1930.
(Collection of Mattatuck Museum)

Here's another view from 1930, showing the lovely, winding road that used to run along the Naugatuck River and up through Chase Park:

Harrub Pilgrim Memorial, July 17, 1930.
(Parks Department Archive, Silas Bronson Library)

On a side note, Chase Parkway was originally a roadway, a scenic drive for those slow-moving cars of the 1920s and '30s.

View from Chase Park looking east toward Freight Street, October 26, 1931.
(Parks Department Archive, Silas Bronson Library)

View of Harrub Memorial and Freight Street bridge
from Chase Park during expansion of the park, May 23, 1932.
(Parks Department Archive, Silas Bronson Library)