Monument in South Killingly honors Kies as first U.S. female patent holder.
In 1965, a monument was erected in South Killingly, Connecticut, celebrating Mary Dixon Kies as the first woman in the United States to receive a patent. This commemorative event reflects a fuller acknowledgment of her contributions, decades after her passing, illustrating a societal shift towards appreciation and recognition of women's roles in innovation. The monument, funded by the Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society alongside Killingly Grange No. 112, serves as a testament to her pioneering legacy, ensuring that her groundbreaking achievement in the advancement of American manufacturing is not forgotten.