Stafford Hill Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stafford Hill Memorial
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Stafford Hill Rd., Cheshire, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Eugene B. Bowern, Newton C. Bond |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000260 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1986 |
The Stafford Hill Memorial is a special stone monument in Cheshire, Massachusetts. It was built in 1927 to honor Joab Stafford, who was one of the first people to settle in this area in 1767. The memorial looks like an old stone tower from Rhode Island, which is where Joab Stafford came from. This important memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Contents
What is the Stafford Hill Memorial?
The Stafford Hill Memorial is located in a quiet, natural area in Cheshire, Massachusetts. It sits on a hill called Stafford Hill, offering amazing views of the land around it.
How Does the Memorial Look?
The memorial is a round stone building made of rough stones. It is about 25 feet tall and 25 feet wide. On top, it has a flat roof where a flagpole stands.
The bottom part of the memorial has eight archways. In the very center, there is a special room called a mausoleum. This is where Joab Stafford's remains are kept. The inside of the memorial is smooth, made of concrete.
Above one of the arches, there is a marble plaque. It says: "1777, Erected in Memory of the Pioneers and Patriots of New Providence, 1927." This message remembers the first settlers and brave people who helped found the community.
Who Was Joab Stafford?
Joab Stafford was born in Newport, Rhode Island. He was sent to this area, then called New Providence, to map out the land. This land later became the town of Cheshire.
Stafford's Early Life and Contributions
Stafford mapped the land in 1766. The next year, he bought three pieces of land. He built his house on this property, which was about 200 acres. His home became the main gathering place for the early community. None of his original buildings are still standing today.
Joab Stafford was a leader. He created a group of local soldiers called a militia company. This group fought in the Battle of Bennington in August 1777. This battle was an important part of the American Revolutionary War.
Stafford later moved to Albany, New York. But he came back to Cheshire in 1800 and passed away there in 1802.
Why Was the Memorial Built?
In 1927, a group called the Sons of the American Revolution wanted to honor Joab Stafford. They collected money from people to build a memorial for him.
Building the Stone Tower
The memorial tower was built that same year using stones found in the fields. Joab Stafford's remains were moved and placed in the mausoleum inside the tower.
The memorial includes Stafford's grave site, the tower itself, and several special plaques that tell stories. Over the years, some of these plaques have been stolen. Others have been moved to the Cheshire Town Hall to keep them safe. The town of Cheshire now owns and takes care of the memorial and the land around it.
Images for kids
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Tomb Stone on Sarcophagus of Col. Jorab Stafford
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Limestone Plaque in Tower Wall
