Downtown in Hartford in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Park History

Pump House

— Bushnell Park —

Park History Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023

1. Park History Marker

Inscription.
Reverend Horace Bushnell believed Prosperity was Our Duty and that civic improvement was critical to a prosperous Hartford. As a result of economic decline in the 1840s, Bushnell recognized Hartford's long want of "spacious ornamental ground" and the opportunity for civic improvement.

After months of planning, Bushnell presented his proposal for the park on October 5, 1853 to Hartford's Court of Common Council. The Council passed a resolution for the park on December 22, 1853 and a public vote was soon scheduled. Approved by public ballot on January 5, 1854, Bushnell Park was established as America's first public park.

After many design efforts over six years, landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann was hired in 1860 to finalize the park's design. Originally called City Park, on February 14, 1876, the park was renamed by the City Council to Bushnell Park - just three days before Bushnell's death.

Thank you for visiting Bushnell Park

Erected by Hartford Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1854.

Location. 41° 45.802′ N, 72° 40.654′ W. Marker is in Hartford

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, Connecticut, in Hartford County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Elm Street and West Street, on the right when traveling west on Elm Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1092 Elm St, Hartford CT 06106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pump House (within shouting distance of this marker); Horace Wells (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Park History (about 400 feet away); Scion of the Charter Oak (about 500 feet away); Horace Wells (about 500 feet away); Bushnell Park (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Park History (about 500 feet away); Chapman-Taft House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Additional keywords. landscape architecture

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023

2. Park History Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.