Monument Square Historic District (Leominster, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Monument Square Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Leominster, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004474 |
| Added to NRHP | July 8, 1982 |
The Monument Square Historic District is a special area in Leominster, Massachusetts. It's called a historic district because it has many old and important buildings. This area includes Leominster's main town square, which people call "Leominster Square" or "the Common." It's a central spot where many historical events happened.
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What Makes Monument Square Special?
Monument Square is home to several important monuments and buildings. These landmarks tell stories about Leominster's past. The square is a place where people gather and remember history.
Important Monuments and Memorials
The Common has many monuments that honor different parts of Leominster's history:
- A monument shows where the town's second meeting house stood from 1775 to 1824. This building was very important for town meetings.
- There's a Native American mortar, which is a stone tool used for grinding. It was moved to the square in 1880.
- Several memorials honor veterans who served in wars.
- A special memorial remembers firefighters.
The Leominster Historical Society, which studies and preserves local history, has its main office right next to the square.
The First Church Building
In 1743, the town chose the Common as the spot for the "First Church" meeting house. Back then, a town needed an active church to get an official charter from the Massachusetts government.
How the Church Changed Over Time
The First Church started as a Congregationalist church. This was a common type of church in early New England. Later, in the early 1800s, the church members changed their beliefs to Unitarian ideas. This caused some members to leave and start a new church, which is now Pilgrim Congregational Church. This new church is also located on the Common.
The First Church received money from the state government until 1835. That's when Massachusetts decided to separate its churches from state funding. This meant churches had to support themselves.
Buildings Around the Square
The historic district also features many buildings from the 1800s. These buildings show different styles of architecture from that time. The area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
Today, you can find the city hall, various churches, and many businesses located around Monument Square. It's still a busy and important part of Leominster.
Images for kids
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A view of Monument Square in Leominster.
