A Handsome Soldier in Framingham - Massachusetts

What is about a man in uniform? 

I was out looking at properties for a client yesterday in Framingham when I came upon this striking statue of a civil war soldier.  Of course I had to take his photograph and I was completely curious about who he was. 

Checking the base of the statue I found that there was no information on his identity at all - only that he had been donated to the town of Framingham. 

Since this Civil War Soldier stands proudly in front of the Framingham Historical Society, I went inside the building to ask more about the mystery man.  I then met two very helpful ladies who explained to me that he is known as the "Unknown Civil War Soldier." Very intriguing... 

Inside of that building is the Edgell Memorial Library which was built to commemorate the valor of Civil War soldiers.  This was Framingham's first actual library. With its Gothic windows and historical data contained within, it stands as a significant building in Framingham's history. 

This historic library was built in 1872 and was saved from demolition in 1963. There is on-going support as well as campaigns for additional funding to complete its restoration including its magnificent Gothic windows. 

The Edgell Memorial Library is one of the few Victorian Gothic style buildings remaining in the area. It sits on the Town Centre Common and is joined by two other important historical structures, The Old Academy and the Village Hall.

The Old Academy is a Greek Rivival temple that was built in 1837.  It replaced the Framingham Academy which was part of Benjamin Franklin's "academy movement." It was originally used by the Framingham schools from 1851 to 1915. The inside is structured in the tradition of original school houses that were built to separate the boys from the girls and the interior still maintains the original blackboards and light fixures.

The Framingham Village Hall was built in 1834 by designs from Solomon Willard who designed the Bunker Hill Monument and Dexter Henenway.  It was originally used as the town's second town hall and is on the National Historic Register. It now serves as a hall for private functions.

These three historic buildings make up the substance of the Town Centre Common in Framingham - and, the handsome Civil War soldier keeps an eyeful watch over all.

Copyright 2010 "A Handsome Soldier in Framingham - Massachusetts"

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