Building and Celebrating the Soldiers’ Monument in Natick (1868 – present)

Special to Natick Report by Jennifer Tys Richards, Research and Archives Manager, Natick Historical Society

The Soldiers’ Monument is a beloved landmark that stands proudly in the heart of Natick Center. This historic monument commemorates the sacrifices made by local soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War (1861 – 1865). It is a solemn reminder of the courage and patriotism displayed during this pivotal time in U.S. history.

The making of the Soldiers’ Monument captivated the whole community. In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of its soldiers and citizens, the town began planning the construction of a monument as early as December 1865. Natick’s Town Clerk George L. Sleeper ran ads in The Natick Times (1855-1869) seeking information about soldiers and sailors who had answered the call to service.

At the April 1866 Town Meeting, $3,500 was appropriated to construct the Soldiers’ Monument. (That is just about $80,000 in today’s dollars.) By July, the monument’s design was complete and hung in the post office for public viewing and observation. The Monument Committee continued to request accurate information through The Natick Times to ensure fallen soldiers were commemorated correctly. These ads ran through 1866. They asked citizens, family, and friends to submit the names and correct spellings of the fallen soldiers they wished to inscribe on the monument. In all, 86 soldiers are listed.

On April 20, 1867, the memorial was prematurely reported as nearly complete, but construction had fallen well behind schedule. The lettering on the tablets proved a significant delay, but funds were also running short. In November 1867, Captain Ephriam H. Brigham launched a Monument Committee and began asking town residents for donations to help complete the project. It didn’t take long for the community to step up and meet the committee’s fundraising goal.

Captain Brigham planned a public meeting at Clark’s Concert Hall on June 3rd, 1868 to plan a dedication ceremony. The group chose Saturday, July 4th, 1868 as the dedication day. That day began with a parade led by a sixteen-piece band conducted by Timothy W. Travis. Many local dignitaries and organizations marched, including: Chief Marshall Leonard Winch, members of the Masonic Lodge, disabled soldiers in carriages, returned soldiers, the Young Folks Haydn Society, students from the high school and other district schools, Natick Musical Association, all town officials, members of the Monument Committee, the Orator of the day, Hon. Henry Wilson, and other local residents in carriages. The parade marched up Pond Street to Maple Street and down West Central Street to the common. The day’s Orator, Hon. Henry Wilson spoke in a large tent erected near the monument. Wilson would soon become Vice President of the United States under Ulysses S. Grant.

The day-long celebration ended with a breathtaking fireworks display at Calvin Morse’s pasture on East Central St. The sixteen-piece band graciously agreed to play before and during the fireworks display, filling the atmosphere with awe and excitement.

Years later, the U.S. government gifted Natick four cannons to embellish the monument. They were dedicated on Decoration Day, May 29, 1875, and presented to the GAR Post 63. The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) was an organization of former Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Donating the cannons to the Post demonstrated the government’s recognition of their contributions and dedication to preserving the memory of the war.

The Soldiers’ Monument remains a place of remembrance and reflection. It ensures that the sacrifices of Natick’s veterans are not forgotten, even in times of peace. More than 150 years after its dedication, the monument still serves a centerpiece of downtown Natick, and honors all who have served and sacrificed for this country.

More history posts:

• Natick’s Great Fire of 1874: Looking back 150 years later
• Natick history: The South Natick fire of 1872
• President George Washington’s Morning Ride Through Natick

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