Downtown in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Horace Wells
Truman Howe Bartlett (1835-1922)
| | Bushnell Park | |
Dr. Horace Wells was a Hartford Dentist who is credited with the discovery of anesthesia in Hartford in 1844. Wells stated, "let anesthesia be as free as the air we breathe" and did not try to benefit commercially from his discovery. After his death, the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association officially recognized him as the discoverer of anesthesia.
This bronze statue was sculpted by Truman Howe Bartlett who also sculpted the statue of Marquis de Lafayette across from our State Capitol. The statue is Hartford's oldest piece of public art still in its original site.
Information about tours of Bushnell Park are at bushnellpark.org.
Erected by Hartford Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 41° 45.874′ N, 72° 40.654′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Downtown. It is on Jewell Street west of Trumbull Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Horace Wells (here, next to this marker); Bushnell Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park History (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Park History (about 400 feet away); The Pump House (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Park History (about 400 feet away); Jeremy Hoadley (about 400 feet away); Scion of the Charter Oak (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.
Additional keywords. Horace Wells
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,015 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
