- This is part of the Holyoke Heritage Trail so after visiting here get back onto the trail.
- Parks of Holyoke
- Private GROUP TOUR (COSTS) is one hour long for this Veteran’s Park neighborhood walking tour. Also a one hour indoor presentation can be given.
- A free public tour comes up every year usually on the Saturday of Veteran’s Day weekend.
- A self-tour is available for anyone using the maps and text seen below. – LOCATION
- Booklets of this tour are HERE
Just below is my podcast on the Hampden Park (Veterans Memorial Park) tour:
On January 22 1962 Hampden Park was rededicated and renamed Veteran’s Memorial Park. (celebrated November 11th of that year.) The park has memorials to war dead from the Civil War, World War 2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It also has many beautiful buildings surrounding it. Hampden Park is on the National Register of Historic Places. For a tour of many Holyoke buildings and districts on the register go to this LINK.
The men from Holyoke that died during the Spanish American War are honored at Holyoke State Armory where there is a plaque. See the LINK to read about them.
The men from Holyoke that died during the course of World War 1 are honored at the Holyoke War Memorial Building. At that building they have plaque for all wars that Americans fought in.
The overall design of the park is nearly the same as the original. At times bushes were added and removed. Flowers were added in some years. (For example, in 1966.) In 1959 34 Junipers were planted. In 1882 sidewalks and curbs were added to the perimeter of the park and around the statue. There was a cistern at the southwest corner of the park at the corner of Chestnut and Dwight.
Stop 1 – Korean War and Vietnam War LINK
Stop 2 – Civil War Memorial LINK
Stop 3 – Medal of Honor LINK
Stop 4 – Fire Station LINK
Alden Press
To the immediate south of the fire station is the George Perry home. This would in time become the home of the Alden Press.
Stop 5 – Saint Jerome’s Society LINK
Stop 6 – World War 2 Memorial LINK
Stop 7 – Holyoke Post Office LINK
Stop 8 – Immaculate Conception of Notre Dame School LINK
Stop 9 – Saint Jerome Church LINK
stop 10 – Convent of the Sisters of Saint Joseph LINK
