Soldiers' Monument (Worcester, Massachusetts) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soldiers' Monument
City of Worcester Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Department
Soldiers' Monument, circa 1910. Note the rough-granite base (now buried).
For the Sons of Worcester who died in the Civil War.
Unveiled	July 15, 1874
Location	42°15′44″N 71°48′00″W / 42.262224°N 71.8°W / 42.262224; -71.8 (Soldiers Monument) near  Worcester City Hall and Common Worcester, Massachusetts
Designed by	Randolph Rogers, sculptor.

The Soldiers' Monument in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a special memorial. It stands on Worcester Common. This monument honors the brave soldiers from Worcester who lost their lives during the American Civil War.

What Does the Monument Look Like?

The monument was designed by a famous sculptor named Randolph Rogers. It is a tall, impressive structure made mostly of granite and bronze.

The Main Column

At the very top, there is a bronze statue of the Goddess of Victory. She stands on a tall, tapering granite column. This column has a special design called Corinthian.

The Pedestal and Statues

Below the column is a large, three-tiered granite base, called a pedestal. This pedestal is decorated with bronze plaques. Around the pedestal, there are four bronze statues. Each statue represents a different part of the military:

• Artillery (soldiers who use cannons)
• Cavalry (soldiers who ride horses)
• Infantry (soldiers who fight on foot)
• Navy (sailors who fight at sea)

The entire monument originally rested on a rough granite base. This base was surrounded by four old cannon barrels.

Details on the Pedestal Plaques

The pedestal has many interesting details:

• The top part has four relief plaques. These show the seals of Worcester City, Massachusetts state, and the United States. There is also a design of crossed swords with a laurel wreath.
• The middle part features busts (head and shoulders statues) of important leaders. These include U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew. There is also a scene showing a soldier being helped by a friend. Another plaque explains the monument's dedication.
• The bottom part has four plaques with names. These list the 398 soldiers from Worcester who died in the war.

How the Monument Was Built

In 1871, a special committee decided to build this memorial. They asked Randolph Rogers to create the design. The City of Worcester provided $35,000 for the project. People also donated another $15,000 to help pay for it. The monument was officially dedicated on July 15, 1874. This was a big event for the city.

Changes Over Time

When it was first built, the monument stood about 66 feet (20 meters) tall. Its base was about 24 feet (7.3 meters) wide. However, in 1969, the ground level around the monument was raised. This change buried the original rough-granite base. Because of this, the monument now appears about 4 feet (1.2 meters) shorter than it once was.

Images for kids

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  Soldiers' Monument in 2009.

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  Goddess of Victory.

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  Infantry.

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  Navy.

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  Cavalry.

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  Artillery.

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  Dedication plaque.