Memorials Targeted in Separate Thefts from Connecticut Freedom Trail Sites
In Windsor, Connecticut, thieves stole a memorial bench from the Archer Memorial AME Zion Church cemetery and a bronze plaque honoring Black Civil War soldiers from the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Both locations are part of the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
Hartford & New Haven, CT, September 20, 2026 —
Two separate incidents involving the theft of significant historical markers have been reported in Windsor, Connecticut. The locations targeted, the Archer Memorial AME Zion Church cemetery and the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery, are both sites recognized as part of the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
In one incident, thieves removed a memorial bench from the grounds of the Archer Memorial AME Zion Church cemetery. The specific details surrounding when this theft occurred were not provided.
In a second, distinct incident, a bronze plaque commemorating Black Civil War soldiers was stolen from the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Like the bench theft, the exact timeline for when this plaque went missing was not specified.
The Connecticut Freedom Trail is a series of historical sites across the state that mark significant events and places in Connecticut’s history, including those related to the Revolutionary War, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil Rights Movement. The inclusion of both the Archer Memorial AME Zion Church cemetery and the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery highlights their historical importance.
The Archer Memorial AME Zion Church cemetery is associated with the history of African American communities in the region. The Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery honors those who have served in the armed forces. The stolen plaque specifically recognized the contributions of Black soldiers during the Civil War, a crucial period in American history where African Americans fought for both freedom and equality.
Authorities have not released details regarding suspects or ongoing investigations into these thefts. The contractor responsible for the stolen items was not identified in the provided information. The value of the stolen memorial bench and the bronze plaque has also not been disclosed. Information regarding any permit status or inspection outcomes related to the security of these memorial sites was not made available. The specific sequence of events following the discovery of the thefts is also not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Alyssa Drumm on www.wfsb.com, see more information here.
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