CONNECTICUT
Wallingford Center Street Cemetery
Center Street Cemetery is a historic burial ground located in the heart of Wallingford, Connecticut, and stands as one of the town’s most meaningful cultural landmarks. Established around 1670, the same year the town was founded, it reflects the early New England tradition of placing cemeteries at the center of community life.
Spanning roughly nine acres, the cemetery has been in continuous use for more than three centuries. Its grounds hold generations of Americans—from early colonial settlers to veterans of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and modern conflicts—each contributing to the story of the nation. The evolution of its headstones, from simple carved slate to enduring granite monuments, mirrors the passage of time and memory.
Among those remembered here is Lyman Hall, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as well as Moses Yale Beach, a founder of the Associated Press. Their legacy, alongside countless others, reflects the deep historical roots preserved within these grounds.
Wallingford is also the hometown of Gary Robinson, whose connection to this cemetery is deeply personal. It was his childhood friend, Kevin Corriveau—a U.S. Navy veteran—who collected soil from these sacred grounds, honoring both local history and national service. That act represents the enduring purpose of places like Center Street Cemetery: to remember, to honor, and to carry forward the stories of those who came before.
That cemetery isn’t just a burial ground—it’s essentially a physical record of Wallingford’s entire history, sitting right in the middle of town. Walking through it, you’re moving from the 1600s to today in just a few acres.
Stonington Cemetery
Stonington Cemetery is a historic burial ground located in the coastal borough of Stonington, Connecticut, overlooking the harbor and reflecting centuries of maritime and American history. Established in the 18th century, the cemetery sits at the center of one of New England’s oldest seaside communities, where narrow streets, colonial homes, and ocean views frame its quiet and reflective setting.
The cemetery contains the graves of generations of residents whose lives were closely tied to the sea—ship captains, fishermen, merchants, and families who shaped the region’s identity. It also honors veterans from multiple conflicts, including those who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and beyond, reinforcing its role as a place of remembrance for both local and national sacrifice.
Among those buried here is Thomas Miner, one of the town’s earliest settlers, whose legacy is deeply woven into Stonington’s founding. The cemetery also holds the graves of individuals connected to the borough’s maritime prominence and its role in defending the coast during the Battle of Stonington in 1814.
Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic, the cemetery’s weathered stones and monuments reflect the passage of time, with inscriptions shaped by sea air and generations of remembrance. Its location and history give it a distinct character—one that ties together community, service, and the enduring connection between land and sea.
Like many historic burial grounds, Stonington Cemetery is more than a resting place. It stands as a living record of the people who built, defended, and sustained the community—where each name and marker contributes to the larger story of American history along the Connecticut shoreline.
Spring Grove Cemetery
Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, Connecticut, was established in 1888 and is an important part of the town’s history. The cemetery has a peaceful, almost rural character, with mature trees, winding paths, older monuments, landscaped grounds, and a central pond.
One of Spring Grove’s most important historical connections is the Fitch Home for Soldiers, established by Benjamin Fitch to provide a home for disabled Civil War veterans and soldiers’ orphans. Many veterans from the home were eventually buried at Spring Grove. More than 2,000 veterans are associated with the cemetery, making it an important part of Connecticut’s military history.
Spring Grove also became a place for Memorial Day observances, where veterans from the Fitch Home gathered to honor their fallen comrades. Historical accounts describe veterans marching from the home to the cemetery, sometimes still wearing their old Civil War uniforms.
Among the most notable people buried at Spring Grove is Oscar E. Peck, a Union Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Civil War. Peck was only 14 years old when he served aboard the USS Varuna during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862. As a powder boy, he carried ammunition to the ship’s guns while the Varuna came under heavy attack and was eventually sunk.
Peck’s bravery earned him the Medal of Honor, and his grave is located in the cemetery’s Veterans Section, Row A, Grave 56. A memorial honoring him was dedicated at Spring Grove in 2012.
Today, Spring Grove remains a peaceful working cemetery, but its grounds preserve a remarkable history. Its connection to the Fitch Home, thousands of veterans, the Civil War, and the story of young Medal of Honor recipient Oscar E. Peck make it much more than a cemetery. It is a place where the history of Darien, Connecticut, and the nation comes together.
Middletown State Veterans Cemetery
The Middletown State Veterans Cemetery in Connecticut is a peaceful and dignified final resting place for veterans and their families. Established in 1985, the cemetery provides a beautiful setting dedicated to honoring those who served our country. It includes traditional burial areas, cremation sections, and columbarium niches, and is the final resting place for thousands of veterans and family members.
The cemetery is also connected to the larger effort to preserve and honor the legacy of America's veterans. Through the Patriot Soil Project, soil collected from veterans' cemeteries across the country becomes part of a meaningful symbol of unity, remembrance, and gratitude for those who served.
Gary Robinson collected soil from the Middletown State Veterans Cemetery, where William E. Brooks Sr., my mother's husband, and my mother, Jacqueline M. Brooks, are laid to rest together. That soil carries a small piece of their resting place into a larger national tribute honoring America's veterans.
Being part of this effort gave me the opportunity to honor William for his service as a soldier and, just as importantly, to recognize the great man he was. He was a valued part of our family, and his life and service deserve to be remembered.
Knowing that my mother, Jacqueline M. Brooks, rests beside William makes this place especially meaningful to our family. Their final resting place represents not only William's service to his country, but also the love, family, and memories they leave behind.
It is an honor to remember them, to honor William's service, and to help preserve their connection to something larger—a lasting tribute to the men and women who served our country.
Soil MixingSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
Vial & State StarSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
