Benhv, and All: Wouldn't that be a great reality TV show? Each episode we'd visit a historical site that needed attention, or repair, or rehabilitation. We'd have a team of archivist, librarians, a local historian. We'd dig into available records and set records straight, or replace plaques, or supply missing information, or correct erroneous. We'd start with Connecticut sites, and call it "Healing History".

I'm also thinking of those giant frogs in Willimantic, or the Great Swamp Fight memorial in Southport.

Anybody have a connection at CPTV? Let's make a pitch.

Thanks! We have already contacted Colin as well as the New Haven Museum and the History Room at the New Haven Free Public Library. We have not contacted New Haven's City Historian. Does anyone have her contact information?
What we have learnedso far... There were two plaques on the statue. We have confirmation of the text of the smaller one at the base. What we are looking for is confirmation of the text for the larger one. In 1926 there was a dedication with the small plaque put at the base of the statue
“In Memorium
U.S.S. Main
Destroyed in Havana Harbor
February 15, 1898”
We have a picture of this.

Later, in 1927 we think, an additional larger plaque was added to the middle of the base with the text:
“This memorial is dedicated by the City of New Haven in commemoration of her Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who volunteered their services during the Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, China Relief Expedition, April 21st 1898 - July 4th 1902.” This is the text we want to confirm before we go ahead and order plaque fabrication.

Fixed! Great stuff! http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/plaque_park/

Looks like you can close it out parks. Post a photo if you have one.