 The monument in 2011 | |
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| Location | Dorchester Heights,Boston,Massachusetts, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°19′58.4″N71°2′44.8″W / 42.332889°N 71.045778°W /42.332889; -71.045778 |
| Designer | Peabody & Stearns |
| Material | Marble |
| Length | 18.3 ft (5.6 m) |
| Width | 18.3 ft (5.6 m) |
| Height | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Beginning date | 1899 |
| Completion date | 1902 |
| Dedicated date | March 17, 1902 |
| Dedicated to | American victory in thesiege of Boston |
TheDorchester Heights Monument is a large publicmonument in theDorchester Heights area ofBoston,Massachusetts, United States. The monument, consisting of a 115-foot (35 m)marbletower, honors theevacuation of Boston during theAmerican Revolutionary War, an early American victory in the conflict. The monument is located near whereGeorge Washington ordered the construction of aredoubt, an area which has since been developed as apublic park. It was designed by thearchitectural firm ofPeabody & Stearns and was dedicated on March 17, 1902 (Evacuation Day).
On the outbreak of theAmerican Revolutionary War, American troops commenced a lengthysiege of Boston, which was controlled by British forces.[1] This siege ended in 1776 when, on March 17, American GeneralGeorge Washington constructed aredoubt atopDorchester Heights in what is nowSouth Boston. Following this, British troops under GeneralWilliam Howe retreated from the city.[2] Theevacuation of Boston was the first major American victory and Washington's first victory in the war.[1][3] Today, March 17 is recognized in Boston asEvacuation Day, a local holiday.[1] In 1853, the area where the redoubts stood was converted to amunicipal park.[1] The park, centered on Telegraph Hill, was called Thomas Park and was one of the first public parks in the city.[4]
In June 1898, theMassachusetts General Court passed a resolution appropriating $25,000 for the creation of a monument at Dorchester Heights to commemorate the construction of the redoubts that led to the British evacuation.[2][5] Following this, theGovernor of Massachusetts assembled a committee with hisExecutive Council and in May 1899 opened a limited competition for designs for the monument.[6] Eightarchitectural firms submitted proposals, and in October 1899 the submission byPeabody & Stearns was selected.[3][7] The following month,construction bidding commenced.[8] In both 1901 and 1902, the General Court voted to increase funding for the construction, the first time for $8,000 and the second time for $3,000. Additionally, a total of $10,000 was appropriated fordedication purposes.[9] In total, construction on the monument lasted from 1899 to 1902.[3]
The dedication ceremony for the monument occurred on March 17, 1902, on the 126th anniversary of the evacuation of Boston.[10] The celebrations began around noon with aprocession of members of theUnited States Marine Corps, with GovernorWinthrop M. Crane and other guests of honor riding in acarriage.[11] After the Governor and guests had assembled at the monument, the Marine band played "The Star-Spangled Banner". Afterwards, Governor Crane gave an address to the crowd and a tablet in the front of the monument, which previously had been covered withAmerican flags, was unveiled, after which the band played "America".[12]
Following this, the ceremony moved to the nearbySouth Boston High School, where anorchestra performed theoverture fromMignon. Afterwards, a prayer was given byWilliam Fairfield Warren (then-President ofBoston University) and aquartet sang "Almighty Father". The orchestra then performed "Narcissus" before noted singerAlice May Bates Rice gave a solo rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner". This was followed by an oration by Massachusetts politician and statesmanHenry Cabot Lodge. The quartet then sang "The Victor's Return", which was followed by another playing of "America" before the ceremony ended with the orchestra playing "American Airs".[13]
On June 21, 1997, the monument was rededicated following a $4.8 million renovation of the park.[14]
The monument's design is in theGeorgian Revivalarchitectural style.[3] The monument consists of a four-sided structure rising 60 feet (18 m) above the ground which has smallbalconies on each of its sides. This column has sides measuring approximately 18.3 feet (5.6 m) long. At the top of this structure is a platform surrounded by abalustrade. Atop this platform climbs another, smaller tower which is topped by an octagonal lantern.[15] Each column has anobservation platform,[3] with the top one giving a view of the city,Boston Harbor, and the surrounding area.[5] The top of the monument features acupola and aspire,[3] topped by aweather vane.[15] The total height of the monument is 115 feet (35 m).[15]
While initial considerations were given to brick orgranite, the monument was ultimately constructed with whitemarble.[3] The structure bears an intentional similarity to thesteeple ofcolonial meeting houses.[15] The entrance into the structure is located on its east side,[15] while the west side bears a tablet containinggilded letters prepared byCharles William Eliot,President of Harvard University.[10] The inscription reads:[16]
ON THESE HEIGHTS / DURING THE NIGHT OF MARCH 4 1776 / THE AMERICAN TROOPS BESIEGING BOSTON / BUILT TWO REDOUBTS / WHICH MADE THE HARBOR AND TOWN / UNTENABLE BY THE BRITISH FLEET AND GARRISON / ON MARCH 17 THE BRITISH FLEET / CARRYING 11000 EFFECTIVE MEN / AND 1000 REFUGEES / DROPPED DOWN TO NANTASKET ROADS / AND THENCEFORTH / BOSTON WAS FREE / A STRONG BRITISH FORCE / HAD BEEN EXPELLED / FROM ONE OF THE UNITED AMERICAN COLONIES
The monument is one of several in the city related to events from theAmerican Revolution, including theBeacon Hill Monument and theBunker Hill Monument.[17]
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