Soldier's Memorial, (sculpture).

Soldier's Memorial, (sculpture).

Rogers, Randolph, 1825-1892, sculptor.

Batterson, James Goodwin, 1823-1901, fabricator.

Royal Foundry, founder.

Elbridge Boyden and Son, contractor.

Mann, Bigelow and Gosling, fabricator.

Soldier's Memorial, (sculpture).

1871-1874. Dedicated July 15, 1874.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze and granite; Base: Westerly granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 66 ft.; Base: approx. W. 24 ft. x D. 24 ft.

(On a round medallion attached to the front of the memorial, on the second level of base:) ERECTED/BY THE PEOPLE OF/WORCESTER/IN MEMORY OF/HER SONS/WHO DIED/FOR THE UNITY /OF THE REPUBLIC/AD 1861-1895 unsigned

Rising from an elaborate base is a tall Corinthian column topped by a bronze figure of Athena Nike holding a sword in her raised proper right hand and a palm frond in her lowered proper left hand. Around the base of the column stand four military figures, each representing a different branch of military service --Artillery, Navy, Cavalry, and Infantry.

On the first tier of the base, just below the military figures, each side of the memorial is adorned with a bronze inscription plaque containing the names of soldiers who died in the Civil War. On the second tier of the base, each side of the memorial is adorned with a bronze medallion, three of which contain reliefs --on the left is Abraham Lincoln's head; on the right is Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew's head; and on the back is a dying soldier supported by a comrade. On the third tier of the base, each side of the memorial is adorned with a bronze relief plaque that depicts an emblem --on the front is the Worcester seal; on the left is the U.S. shield; on the right is the Massachusetts state seal; and on the back are crossed swords encircled by a laurel wreath. At the base of the monument are three steps, the lowest step is now even with the plaza. In the plaza around the base are four stone cannons barrels inserted vertically into the plaza.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure group -- Male

Occupation -- Military -- Sailor

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Mythology -- Classical -- Athena Nike

Portrait male -- Lincoln, Abraham -- Head

Occupation -- Political -- President

Portrait male -- Andrews, John A. -- Head

Occupation -- Political -- Governor

State of Being -- Death

Outdoor Sculpture -- Massachusetts -- Worcester

Administered by City of Worcester, Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Department, 125 Green Hill Parkway, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

Located Worcester Common, Worcester, Massachusetts

In 1871, the Soldier's Memorial Monument Committee commissioned Randolph Rogers based on his designs for a memorial with a 56 ft. high Corinthian column that was later extended to 66 ft. The City of Worcester appropriated $35,000 and an additional $15,000 was raised through public subscription. George Crompton founder of Crompton Knowles Loom Works and chairman of the Monument Committee was a model for the figure representing the Navy.

Rogers modeled the bronze elements at his studio in Rome and they were cast by the Royal Foundry in Munich. The masonry was executed by James Goodwin Batterson. The Worcester firm of Mann, Bigelow and Gosling constructed the base and the memorial was erected by another Worcester firm, Elbridge Boyden and Son, under the direction of Randolph Rogers.

IAS files contain a copy of the City of Worcester Parks and Recreation Department / Massachusetts Historical Commission Form C "Monuments" questionnaire dated June 3, 1986; the Supplement for Form C "Monuments" questionnaire which includes a condition assessment; a City of Worcester Monument Inventory Special Information sheet; and a Sept. 1986 Dennis and Craine Associates condition assessment.

Beall, Pamela E., "Artworks in Our Parks: An Inventory of Public Memorials," Worcester, MA: City of Worcester, 1986.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Massachusetts survey, 1994.

Beall, Pamela E., "Artworks in Our Parks: An Inventory of Public Memorials," Worcester, MA: City of Worcester, 1986, pg. 11-12.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

Control Number:

Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

Powered by SirsiDynix

About | © 2020 Smithsonian | Terms of Use | Privacy | Contact

SIRIS - Smithsonian Institution Research Information System