East Rock's Angel of Peace

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. asked that the Angel of Peace (the 5,000-pound bronze statue which tops the New Haven Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on East Rock) be restored on the Green so that New Haveners could see the famous statue up close. “This incredibly beautiful monument is a worthy legacy because it not only memorializes the sacrifices made by so many generations of soldiers, it also communicates the wish of all Americans for peace,” DeStefano said.

The 11.5-foot Angel of Peace is the crowning majesty of the New Haven Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, which stands in honor of those Americans who have served their country in battle throughout history. Commissioned in 1885 and completed in 1887, the monument was inspired by the Civil War but has since become a tribute to all of America’s veterans.

The monument’s square pedestal comprises four different bas-relief sculptures commemorating the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. On each corner of the pedestal sits a bronze female figure, the four women together representing Patriotism, Victory, Prosperity, and History.

In February 2006, the New Haven parks department had the Angel of Peace removed from atop East Rock and shipped to a foundry in Flushing, NY before being returned to Connecticut for further restoration. The statue is a landmark for New Haven - approximately 250,000 cars pass the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument each day on Interstate 91.