Monument Unveiled, Bravery Honored in New Milford
November 20, 2013NEW MILFORD — State Rep. Cecilia Buck-Taylor on Sunday saluted the bravery of those who kept alive the Underground Railroad that helped slaves to freedom when she joined roughly 100 people in dedicating a monument outside the New Milford Historical Society and Museum. The event on the Society’s lawn, festooned with American flags, also commemorated the 150th anniversary of The Gettysburg Address.
An impersonator of President Abraham Lincoln recited the inspirational Civil War-era speech. Buck-Taylor joined Mayor Pat Murphy and state Sen. Clark Chapin in speaking to the crowd, with the state representative telling folks it was an honor to recognize “the sacrifices made by those who believed freedom was not a right to be limited to the privileged few.”
Resident Frances Smith was the visionary behind the day’s event. Local artist Ray Crawford designed and created the granite monument, “A Rough Road to Freedom,” that features a broken chain symbolizing the end of slavery in this country.