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 56-foot-high (17 m) stone and granite tower. It looks a bit like a small, old-fashioned castle! You can find it in Salisbury Park, in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts.
This cool tower was built in 1900 to remember George Bancroft. He was an important politician, historian, and statesman who grew up in Worcester. The tower was designed by local architects named Earle and Fisher. Today, Bancroft Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special historical landmark.
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What Does Bancroft Tower Look Like?
Bancroft Tower is located in Salisbury Park, which is a public park in Worcester. It's built from large rocks and smaller stones, with a rough granite outside. The tower isn't perfectly even; it has square towers at its corners with jagged tops, like a castle. There's also a taller, round tower that's not quite in the middle. Next to this round tower, you'll see an arched entryway.
The Story of Bancroft Tower
This tower was built by a man named Stephen Salisbury III. He wanted to honor George Bancroft, who was a famous historian and statesman. George Bancroft had been a childhood friend of Stephen Salisbury III's father.
The Bancroft Tower was one of three towers built on high points around the city. It's the only one that is still standing 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. This made it a public landmark for everyone to enjoy. The Bancroft Tower was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 1980.
The Plaque and Compasses
Right in front of the tower, there's a special plaque set into the ground. It tells you why the tower was built:
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
The plaque tells us that George Bancroft was born near this very hill. He became very important, serving as the Secretary of the Navy. He even started the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland! He also worked as a U.S. Minister (like an ambassador) to Great Britain and Germany.
In the park around the tower, you might also notice two half-compasses on the ground. They are supposed to point to the other six of the "Seven Hills of Worcester." (Bancroft Hill, where the tower stands, is one of these seven hills.)
Gallery
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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
