Английская Википедия:Dorchester Heights Monument

Содержание

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

Текст

The Dorchester Heights Monument is a large public monument in the Dorchester Heights area of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The monument, consisting of a Шаблон:Convert marble tower, honors the evacuation of Boston during the American Revolutionary War, an early American victory in the conflict. The monument is located near where George Washington ordered the construction of a redoubt, an area which has since been developed as a public park. It was designed by the architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns and was dedicated on March 17, 1902 (Evacuation Day).

History

Background

On the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, American troops commenced a lengthy siege of Boston, which was controlled by British forces.Шаблон:Sfn This siege ended in 1776 when, on March 17, American General George Washington constructed a redoubt atop Dorchester Heights in what is now South Boston. Following this, British troops under General William Howe retreated from the city.Шаблон:Sfn The evacuation of Boston was the first major American victory and Washington's first victory in the war.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn Today, March 17 is recognized in Boston as Evacuation Day, a local holiday.Шаблон:Sfn In 1853, the area where the redoubts stood was converted to a municipal park.Шаблон:Sfn The park, centered on Telegraph Hill, was called Thomas Park and was one of the first public parks in the city.Шаблон:Sfn

In June 1898, the Massachusetts 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.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn Following this, the Governor of Massachusetts assembled a committee with his Executive Council and in May 1899 opened a limited competition for designs for the monument.Шаблон:Sfn Eight architectural firms submitted proposals, and in October 1899 the submission by Peabody & Stearns was selected.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn The following month, construction bidding commenced.Шаблон:Sfn 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 for dedication purposes.Шаблон:Sfn In total, construction on the monument lasted from 1899 to 1902.Шаблон:Sfn

Dedication

Файл:G. Street in Dorchester Heights, South Boston - DPLA - 75d4c4c6d44ff5fc6e5ef368b1cc348f.jpg

The monument in 1920

The dedication ceremony for the monument occurred on March 17, 1902, on the 126th anniversary of the evacuation of Boston.Шаблон:Sfn The celebrations began around noon with a procession of members of the United States Marine Corps, with Governor Winthrop M. Crane and other guests of honor riding in a carriage.Шаблон:Sfn 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 with American flags, was unveiled, after which the band played "America".Шаблон:Sfn

Following this, the ceremony moved to the nearby South Boston High School, where an orchestra performed the overture from Mignon. Afterwards, a prayer was given by William Fairfield Warren (then-President of Boston University) and a quartet sang "Almighty Father". The orchestra then performed "Narcissus" before noted singer Alice May Bates Rice gave a solo rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner". This was followed by an oration by Massachusetts politician and statesman Henry 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".Шаблон:Sfn

On June 21, 1997, the monument was rededicated following a $4.8 million renovation of the park.Шаблон:Sfn

Design

Файл:Dorchester Heights Monument - DSC00778.JPG

Tablet on the monument's west side

The monument's design is in the Georgian Revival architectural style.Шаблон:Sfn The monument consists of a four-sided structure rising Шаблон:Convert above the ground which has small balconies on each of its sides. This column has sides measuring approximately Шаблон:Convert long. At the top of this structure is a platform surrounded by a balustrade. Atop this platform climbs another, smaller tower which is topped by an octagonal lantern.Шаблон:Sfn Each column has an observation platform,Шаблон:Sfn with the top one giving a view of the city, Boston Harbor, and the surrounding area.Шаблон:Sfn The top of the monument features a cupola and a spire,Шаблон:Sfn topped by a weather vane.Шаблон:Sfn The total height of the monument is Шаблон:Convert.Шаблон:Sfn

While initial considerations were given to brick or granite, the monument was ultimately constructed with white marble.Шаблон:Sfn The structure bears an intentional similarity to the steeple of colonial meeting houses.Шаблон:Sfn The entrance into the structure is located on its east side,Шаблон:Sfn while the west side bears a tablet containing gilded letters prepared by Charles William Eliot, President of Harvard University.Шаблон:Sfn The inscription reads:Шаблон:Sfn

Шаблон:QuoteThe monument is one of several in the city related to events from the American Revolution, including the Beacon Hill Monument and the Bunker Hill Monument.Шаблон:Sfn

Bibliography

• Шаблон:Cite book
• Шаблон:Cite journal
• Шаблон:Cite web
• Шаблон:Cite book
• Шаблон:Cite web
• Шаблон:Cite web
• Шаблон:Cite journal
• Шаблон:Cite journal
• Шаблон:Cite web

Further reading

• Шаблон:Cite web

External links

• Шаблон:Official website
• Шаблон:Official website