Bancroft Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bancroft Tower
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Bancroft Tower
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bancroft Tower Rd., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | Earle & Fisher |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | Worcester MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000524 |
| Added to NRHP | March 5, 1980 |
The Bancroft Tower is a cool, castle-like structure in Worcester, Massachusetts. This tower is 56 feet (about 17 meters) tall. It is made of strong granite and natural stone. It looks like a tiny castle from long ago!
You can find this unique tower in Salisbury Park. It was built in 1900 to remember an important person named George Bancroft. He was born in Worcester and became a famous politician, historian, and statesman. This means he helped lead the country, studied history, and worked with other nations. The tower was designed by local architects Earle and Fisher. It cost about $15,000 to build back then. Today, Bancroft Tower is recognized as a special historical place on the National Register of Historic Places.
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What Does Bancroft Tower Look Like?
Bancroft Tower is located in Salisbury Park, which is northwest of downtown Worcester. It's a public park that many people enjoy. The tower has two stories and is built from large boulders and smaller stones. Its outside walls are made of rough, natural granite.
The tower has an interesting, uneven shape. It features square towers at its corners, which have a "crenelated" top. This means they look like the battlements on old castles, with gaps for archers. In the middle, there's a taller, round tower that isn't perfectly centered. Next to this round tower, you'll find an arched entryway.
The History of Bancroft Tower
The Bancroft Tower was built by Stephen Salisbury III. He wanted to honor George Bancroft, who was a very important historian and statesman. George Bancroft had been a childhood friend of Stephen Salisbury III's father.
This tower was one of three similar towers built on high spots around the city. However, Bancroft Tower is the only one that still stands today. Stephen Salisbury III owned the park and tower until he passed away in 1907. He left the tower to the Worcester Art Museum. In 1912, the museum gave the tower to the Worcester Parks Department. The Bancroft Tower was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 1980.
The Special Plaque
Right in front of the tower, there's a plaque on the ground. It tells you why the tower was built.
The plaque says: BANCROFT TOWER THIS TOWER WAS BUILT IN 1900 TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF
GEORGE BANCROFT 1800–1891
BORN AT THE FOOT OF THIS HILL HE ROSE TO THE POSTS OF SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOUNDER OF THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND U.S. MINISTER TO GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY
THIS MEMORIAL WAS BUILT BY HIS FRIEND AND ADMIRER STEPHEN SALISBURY III
There are also two half-compasses on the ground near the tower. They are marked as if they point to the other six of Worcester's "Seven Hills." Bancroft Hill is one of these seven hills.
Images for kids
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Bancroft Tower, October 13, 2013
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Bancroft Tower Park, 5/31/2009
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Bancroft Tower Rd, 5/31/2009
See also
In Spanish: Torre Bancroft para niños
