The City of Bridgeport has obtained funding for the restoration of the Perry Memorial Arch, located at the entrance of Seaside Park.
The structure was constructed in 1918 as a tribute to William Perry, a former superintendent of the Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine company the operated out of Bridgeport during the latter half of the 19th century. Perry also served as the president of the Parks Board Commission in Bridgeport, and his will allocated funds for the creation of the archway leading into Seaside Park.
The nearly 50-foot-tall granite archway was conceived underneath the creative direction of Henry Bacon, who was also responsible for the design of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The newly obtained funding will be paired with already-matched funds for the restoration, which will involve the hiring of a private contractor to perform roof, wall, and foundation repairs during the Spring of 2024.
“The William Perry Memorial Arches have suffered structural damage over the years,” said Joe Tiago, Bridgeport’s deputy director of public facilities. “The improvements needed will continue to show our dedication to improving the Park City. The archway is a key landmark for many Bridgeport residents; it would be great to see the monument receiving restorative work so that it can continue to serve as a gateway into Bridgeport’s largest park.”
