Martha's Vineyard in Oak Bluffs in Dukes County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Soldiers' Memorial Fountain
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 24, 2021
1. Soldiers' Memorial Fountain Marker
The marker was removed from near the Soldiers' Memorial Fountain and placed in the Martha's Vineyard Museum in Tisbury.
This monument depicting a Union Soldier was erected in 1891 by Charles Strahan, a former Confederate who relocated to Martha's Vineyard after the Civil War. Due to lingering bitterness over the conflict, local Union veterans first excluded him from their gatherings. In a gesture of conciliation, Strahan established this memorial in honor of their organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. At its dedication he professed his loyalty to the restored Union and gave thanks for the abolition of slavery. His wish that "more kindness" would be shown toward his "old comrades" was fulfilled in 1925 when a tablet honoring Confederate soldiers was added to the pedestal.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 41° 27.43′ N, 70° 33.367′ W. Marker was in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, in Dukes County. It was on Martha's Vineyard. Memorial was on Seaview Avenue close to Ocean Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Oak Bluffs MA 02557, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
2. Soldiers' Memorial Fountain Marker in its previous location
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
3. Grand Army of the Republic Memorial
This Union memorial in Oak Bluffs was erected by a former Confederate soldier who settled there and who wanted to mend fences. Later, the town added a plaque on the back side in honor of the Confederate dead. The same ironmonger who built the Methodist Tabernacle apparently executed this statue, as his name is on the base.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
4. Henry Clay Wade Post G.A.R. No 201
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
5. "The Chasm is Closed"
In Memory of the restored Union
This tablet is dedicated by Union Veterans of the Civil War and Patriotic Citizens of Martha's Vineyard in honor of the Confederate Soldiers.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
6. Erected in honor of
the Grand Army of the Republic by Charles Strahan Co. B, 21st Virginia Regiment.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 23, 2012
7. Soldiers' Memorial Fountain Restoration Marker
The restoration of this memorial was made possible
by contributions from the community
Soldiers: Memorial Fountain Restoration Inc.
Save Outdoor sculpture/Heritage Preservation
Thomas & Barbara Israel
Peter Norton family Fountain
Farm Neck Foundation -Friends of Oak Bluffs
Permanent Endowment Fund For Martha's Vineyard
Ray & Theodora Ellis -Second Chance Foundation
Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association
Sloat Hodgson- Sylvia Mader- Stephen Bernier
Our Market Corp -Oak Bluffs Association
In honor of Col. L. George Williams
Regina McDonough- Island Commuter Corp
Island Country Club- Judith & Page Stephens
Dale's Collision - Edwin & Mary -Lee Reede
David McCullough -Massachusetts Art Council
Rededicated August 2001
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,503 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
