Dorchester Heights Monument in Boston National Historical Park to be Restored through GAOA Funding

Progress photograph on November 21, 2023, showing scaffolding around monument and active construction work on the former west stairs.

NPS/E Hanson Plass

Boston National Historical Park is planning a multimillion-dollar restoration of the Dorchester Heights Monument atop Telegraph Hill in South Boston with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). This project will restore the 115-foot-tall marble commemorative tower, which was designed by Peabody & Stearns architects of Boston in 1899 and constructed in 1901-1902. It will also replace all hardscapes within the surrounding 5.43-acre grounds around the tower, known as Thomas Park. With completion of this project, the iconic tower and grounds will be safe and accessible for visitors and continue to serve as a landmark within the local community.

The Dorchester Heights Monument commemorates the fortification of those Heights on the evening of March 4, 1776. After months of planning, George Washington ordered continental forces and local volunteers to stealthily fortify this location with cannon. This military operation led British forces to evacuate Boston two weeks later, on March 17, 1776. Since that historic moment, Dorchester Heights has remained a significant site to the local community and the nation.

Project at a Glance: This multimillion-dollar project will restore the 115-foot-tall commemorative tower, as well as replace and upgrade the hardscape of the surrounding 5.43-acre grounds known as Thomas Park so that they are safe and accessible to all.

What are the Benefits: This multi-year project will renew the Dorchester Heights Monument as a safe gathering place for visitors and the local community. By addressing the deteriorated conditions of the tower and hardscape, visitors will be able to safely explore the grounds. The tower observatory will be accessible for special events and as staffing allows. In the observatory, visitors will be able to survey the commanding views of the city and Boston Harbor, which made this site a decisive factor in Washington's first victory in the nation's War for Independence.

Project Details

Start Date: September, 2023

Anticipated Completion*: Prior to March 17, 2026

Project Costs*: Over $30 million

Visitor Impact*: It is anticipated that the tower and surrounding grounds will be closed to the public for approximately 18 months during construction.

*These are estimations and subject to change

Current Status

Live view:

March 2024 Updates:

Hardscape:

Crews have completed pouring the first footings, which has allowed them to start forming and pouring retaining walls. The walls are both at an arc to move with the elliptical shape of the park grounds, but also chamfered inwards to work with the slope of the hill. Two diseased Sugar Maple trees on the South side of the grounds will be removed mid April to enable completion of the hardscape project. The trees will be replaced during the landscape treatment phase of the project in 2025.

Monument:

Workers are analyzing the cracked stones of the Monument to identify what repair work needs to be done and are repairing stones that have been removed from the top of the Monument. This process includes cutting marble to serve as replacement pieces. Most of the marble will be able to be reused in this way, limiting the amount of new marble required for restoring the Monument. Inside, workers are repointing the masonry of the main part of the tower. Deteriorated bricks are being completely replaced, while most of the work involves repointing: Removal of failed mortar and replacement set in to the joins of the bricks.

March Photo Gallery

Photo Galleries of Work Progress

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  March 2024 Progress Gallery

  Updates on work during March 2024

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  February 2024 Progress Gallery

  Dorchester Heights Restoration: February 2024

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  January 2024 Progress Gallery

  Work progress for January 2024

Procession from the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club to the Dorchester Heights Monument. The Lexington Minutemen and Henry Knox Color Guard led the procession.

NPS Photo

Evacuation Day:

This March, the National Parks of Boston and South Boston Citizens' Association hosted the annual Evacuation Day Commemoration on Friday, March 15. Speakers included South Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, Mayor Michelle Wu, Representative David Biele, City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, Councilor Ed Flynn, Councilor Erin Murphy, and Robert Allison, Chair of Revolution 250.

See photos from the event.

Project Progress

February 2024

Hardscape:

Installation of the micropiles completed. Crews next focused on setting up all the reinforcing rebar members that interfaces with the micripilings to ensure solid, stable, and permanent footing for the stairwells. Forms were then built around each of these foundational elements so concrete could be poured and allowed to fully cure.

Monument:

Crews have completed the removal of stones of the Monument down to and including the observatory level. Masons are now analyzing each of the stones and determining next steps for repairing and replacing the stones. Stones that need repair may get matching replacement pieces from donor stones otherwise too deteriorated for reinstallation. Inside the main chamber of the monument, masons are evaluating and repointing the masonry that needs to be repaired and/or replaced in situ.

February Photo Gallery

December, 2023 and January, 2024

Hardscape:

The process of micropiling the stairway foundation and the retaining wall started and it continues around the entirety of the park. Micropiles for retaining walls also included the placing of steel mesh followed by a sprayed concrete treatment to form the first layer of the retaining walls.

Monument:

Crews have carefully begun dismantling the top of the Monument from top to bottom. This began with the steeple and then progressed to the belfry feature. Every piece of marble is numbered and identified so it can go back in its original location. The masonry, concrete, and metal elements are largely too far deteriorated to be rehabilitated and are being demolished so new masonry can take its place.
January Photo Gallery
December Photo Gallery

October and November 2023

Two separate work efforts are progressing simultaneously: Hardscape rehabilitation work and Monument restoration work.

Hardscape:

In October, crews first removed light fixtures and trees along the main walkway that will be replaced at the conclusion of work. With excavators and jackhammers, the crews are continuing the process of demolishing the old concrete stairwells and retaining walls. The demolition work is ongoing and rotating around the park. Excavation work for piling installation will follow.

Monument:

After utility and other preparations completed, scaffolding has gone up around the monument. Dismantling of the weathervane and spire will follow, kicking off the first phase of direct work rehabilitating the monument.

October Photo Gallery

September 2023

Work mobilized in earnest beginning September 2023. This included closure of the grounds to the public and setting up work/laydown areas, site trailers, and all other necessary materials. Protection measures are in place for markers, monuments, and established wooded areas on the north and south sides of the monument.

Read the press release.

March 2022

National Park Service Regional Director Gay Vietzke announced the funding at the 2022 Evacuation Day commemoration at Dorchester Heights on Thursday, March 17. The program featured remarks by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey. The event also included ceremonial musket fire by the Lexington Minutemen and music provided by the Boston University Band. Watch Director Vietzke's announcement.

Project Purpose and Goals

There are two aspects to this project: restoration of the commemorative tower and reconstruction of the surrounding hardscapes. Each play an integral role in making the park a safe place for visitors. This work includes:

• Restoration and structural upgrade of the tower, including dismantling and reconstructing the Belfry, Lantern, & Spire levels.
• Installation of new roofing, flashing, & bird control systems on the tower.
• Exterior and interior tower masonry restoration and cleaning.
• Restoration of the tower's interior steel staircase.
• New lighting & ventilation systems in the tower and associated electrical upgrades.
• Restoration of the tower entrance gate & fencing, bronze entry door, and Observatory viewing doors.
• Hardscape reconstruction, including walkways, stairs, accessible ramps, handrails and retaining walls.
• New, deep micropile footings to reach stable soil to correct movement of walls. These footings are foundation support elements that will be used here to provide structural stability to the walls and slopes.
• Upgrading site stormwater drainage system.
• Monitoring and protecting of the ground's archeological resources.
• Refurbishment of exterior lighting with new energy efficient fixtures.