Page 26 - Bristol Magazine Spring 2025

of textiles was a large part of Bris-
tol’s industry. Now the building has
been transformed into a celebration
of carousel art and the dedicated
and innovative craftsmen who have
brought so much wonder and joy
over the decades. The Carousel Mu-
seum turns 35 this year and is the
only place in Bristol where kids can
ride a carousel.

No discussion of Bristol’s cultural
district would be complete without
mentioning the Memorial Boule-
vard, and no discussion of the Boule- This postcard image shows the Memorial Boulevard School when
it served as Bristol’s High School.
vard is complete without noting the
dedication of New Departure found- in the armed services. One such me- Bristol has not always been a per-
er Albert F. Rockwell to the project. morial, the Soldiers’ Memorial Mon- fect guardian to its cultural and ar-
A fierce—and sometimes fiery— ument was designed by Bristol archi- chitectural treasures. Like many
champion of the project, Rockwell tect Harold Hayden, himself a World municipalities, Bristol still bears the
offered the city 12 acres for the con- War I veteran. scars of 1960s-era redevelopment
struction of new high school build- missteps. And, if you want an earful,
ing to replace the overcrowded Cen- Rockwell would deliver on his inten- ask any handful of Bristol residents
ter Street edifice on the condition tion to see the new high school built. how they feel about the demoli-
that the city would construct a large The Memorial Boulevard School was tion of the Main Street post office!
boulevard by the future school, con- constructed in 1922 and officially However, Bristol residents can take
struct a bridge over Mellen Street, dedicated in 1923, with classes al- solace in the history that remains
and commit to constructing the ready in progress. The city would in Bristol’s Cultural District and the
school in two years. Rockwell would eventually outgrow even this build- area’s potential to still provide so
even serve as unpaid construction ing, leading to the construction of much for people to do. All these at-
supervisor for the school. Despite Bristol Eastern High School in 1959. tractions are within a short distance
a range of construction challenges, The Memorial Boulevard building from local restaurants, sports bars,
the conditions were met, and Me- would be called Bristol Central High and even a brewery. Make a day dig-
morial Boulevard was dedicated on School until a building on the Wol- ging into the remarkable history of
Armistice Day of 1921. It is home to cott side of town would assume Bristol and what it still has to offer!
Veterans Memorial Park, which con- that name and the remaining class-
tains memorials in remembrance of es a few years later. The Memorial For the current information about
those from Bristol who have served Boulevard building would be repur- the attractions listed here:
posed as a middle school in the mid-
1960s, finally closing in 2012. The The American Clock and
building languished for some time, Watch Museum:
until a dedicated group spearhead- www.clockandwatchmuseum.org
ed an effort to revitalize it. It now
houses the Bristol Arts & Innovation Bristol Public Library:
Magnet School (BAIMS), an intradis- www.bristollib.com
trict magnet school serving middle Bristol Historical Society:
and high school students in Bristol. www.bristolhistoricalsociety.org
During the renovation, the beauti-
ful Rockwell Theater was preserved Bristol Sports Hall of Fame:
and now does double duty as part bshof.org
of the school and a community the-
ater bringing live shows to Bristol, Memorial Military Museum:
playing movies, and providing a ven- Find the Memorial Military Museum on
ue for local groups. Information for Facebook for up-to-date information
Downtown Live’s Rockwell Theater on programs.
event listings (and information for For events at the Rockwell Theater:
all the attractions mentioned here) www.DowntownLiveCT.com
follows the article.
Soldiers’ Memorial Monument

26 Bristol Magazine - Spring Issue 2025