South End in Bridgeport in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Perry Memorial Arch

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 1, 2010

1. Perry Memorial Arch Marker

Inscription.
[Inscription on the street (east) side] This Memorial Arch was erected
AD MCMXVIII to the memory of
William Hunt Perry
of Bridgeport Conn by his wife
Harriet Adelaide Perry
[Inscription on the park side]
This Memorial Arch
was erected by
Harriet Adelaide Perry
to the memory of
her husband
William Hunt Perry
who was born May 25 1820
in West Woodstock Connecticut
and died on May 9 1899
in the City of Bridgeport
Connecticut where he resided
for thirty two years and by
his character ability loyalty
and industry became one of
her leading manufacturers
financiers and citizens

Erected 1918.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1820.

Location. 41° 9.767′ N, 73° 11.363′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. It is in South End. Marker is at the intersection of Waldemere Avenue and Park Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Waldemere Avenue. Located at the Park Avenue entrance to Seaside Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridgeport CT 06604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Bridgeport Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Roberto Clemente (approx. half a mile away); James Henry O’Rourke (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bridgeport (approx. one mile away); Abraham Lincoln’s Visit (approx. one mile away); Bryant Electric Company World War I Monument (approx. one mile away); Bridgeport Korean War Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeport.

Regarding Perry Memorial Arch. The Perry Memorial Arch in Bridgeport’s Seaside Park stands at the park’s main entrance, at the foot of Park Avenue.

The granite archway was dedicated in 1918 to honor William H. Perry, who had served as superintendent of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, a sewing machine producer that would later be acquired by Singer. Perry brought the metal working techniques he learned at Colt's armory in Hartford to Wheeler & Wilson when it was a small concern in Watertown, CT. He quickly rose to treasurer of the company. Under Perry, Wheeler & Wilson moved to Bridgeport in 1856, occupying a vacant factory building. It grew to a 15-acre complex, manufacturing over 170,000 sewing machines a year.

Perry's wealth came from investments in real estate. He retired from

Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 1, 2010

2. Marker Detail

active business in 1884. Perry had also been president of the city’s Parks Commission, and was instrumental in creating Seaside Park. He died May 9, 1899. His will left money for the creation of a gateway to Seaside Park.

The Perry Memorial Arch was designed by architect Henry Bacon, who also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a number of other public sculptures and monuments.

Inscription Panel on the Park Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 1, 2010

3. Inscription Panel on the Park Side

Perry Memorial Arch image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 1, 2010

4. Perry Memorial Arch

Rear View from Seaside Park

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 1, 2010

5. Perry Memorial Arch

Front View of the Entrance to Seaside Park from Park Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,200 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.