Monument Park Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Monument Park Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Monument Park and environs north of Main St., Fitchburg, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1844 |
| Architect | Richard Upjohn and others |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Gothic, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000478 |
| Added to NRHP | May 16, 1978 |
The Monument Park Historic District is a special area in downtown Fitchburg, Massachusetts, known for its beautiful old buildings. It's like a neighborhood that has been officially recognized for its important history and amazing architecture. This district is centered around Monument Park and includes many impressive buildings like churches, government offices, and shops. In 1978, this area was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's considered very important to the history of the United States.
Contents
Discovering Monument Park
Monument Park is right in the middle of Fitchburg's busy downtown area, close to Main Street. It's surrounded by Wallace Avenue, Elm Street, and Hartwell Street. The park is about two-thirds of an acre, which is roughly the size of a football field. It's a flat, rectangular space with green grass and tall maple trees. A low iron fence and shrubs surround the park, making it a peaceful spot.
The Victory Statue
In the very center of Monument Park, you'll find a statue of a winged figure. This figure represents Victory and was created by a sculptor named Martin Milmore. The statue honors the soldiers from Fitchburg who fought in the American Civil War. The city officially created Monument Park in 1874, giving the community a lovely place to relax and remember history.
Historic Buildings Around the Park
The area around Monument Park is filled with many interesting buildings, each with its own unique style and story. These buildings show how architecture changed over time in Fitchburg.
Buildings on the West Side
On the west side of Monument Park, there are two important buildings. The one to the north is the old state armory for Fitchburg. An armory is a place where military weapons are stored and soldiers train. This building was designed by Wait and Cutter and finished in 1891. It has a cool Gothic style with tall towers and decorative walls called parapets. Later, in 1914, a famous local architect named H.M. Francis added to it.
Just north of the armory, at the corner of the park, stands the old post office. This is a large building with a Classical Revival style, which means it looks like ancient Greek or Roman buildings. It was completed in 1903 and made even bigger in the 1930s.
Buildings on the North and East Sides
Facing the north side of the park is the district courthouse. This building was designed by Worcester architect Elbridge Boyden and finished in 1871. It has a High Victorian Gothic style, which is known for its detailed and dramatic look.
Next to the courthouse, you'll find the only building in the district that used to be a home. It's a stylish Queen Anne Victorian house, designed by H.M. Francis. This style is known for its varied textures, patterns, and often a tower or turret.
The entire east side of the park is taken up by the beautiful Gothic Christ Church. This church was designed by the famous architect Richard Upjohn and built in 1868. It has had many additions over the years that match its original style.
A little further east, facing Main Street, is the former YMCA building, built in 1894. This is another building designed by H.M. Francis, showing his influence in the area.
What Makes the District Special
When the Monument Park Historic District was first proposed, some newer buildings on the south side of Main Street were considered. However, these buildings, like a Modernist library, were not included in the final district. This was because they didn't match the older, historic style of the other buildings around Monument Park. The district focuses on preserving the area's unique architectural history.
