In 1747, Timothy Goodman gave this oblong of land to the West Hartford Parish of the Congregational Church for use as a parade ground for the local militia company. Still owned by the parish and maintained by the town, it has been the heart of West Hartford for nearly 250 years. It was once surrounded by buildings that sustained the life of an old New England town, including the meeting house, town hall, parsonage, academy, district school, general store, post office, and tavern. Its flagpole and descendant of the Charter Oak symbolize patriotism and political freedom, and the green has been the site of many communal ceremonies and celebrations. On May 3, 1854, a throng of citizens gathered here to rejoice that the General Assembly of Connecticut had passed an act incorporating West Hartford as a town.