Article

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

Image of a park under construction with vehicles and a central monument surrounded by scaffolding. — 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 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.

Current Status

October 2024 Updates:

Monument:

Contractor installed the top 30’ of scaffolding. Contractor hoisted and installed courses 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, and 83 (each course is a row of marble). Course 78 comprised the arches of the Lantern. Contractor pointed previous work on the columns, as well as the Dome and the Lantern. Contractor installed bird netting in the arch opening of the Lantern.
Contractor worked at the top of the Monument, pointing and mechanically fastening installed marble slabs. Contractor prepared the spire marble elements and the weathervane on the ground prior to hoisting. Contractor installed the spire and weathervane.
Contractor removed staging/scaffolding from the lower Lantern and cleaned for the installation of flashing. Contractor installed flashing throughout various parts of the Monument.
Contractor installed the red brick surface on the inside of the cylindrical base of the Lantern.
Contractor detailed various elements of the balustrades and ornamental elements for reinstallation. Contractor continued work on the punch list repairing marble stones and tuck pointing all the marble joints on the exterior of the Monument.
Contractor worked on the metal stairs inside the Monument for the reinstallation of the modified handrails. Contractor installed the electrical conduit inside the monument for lighting and power.

Hardscape:

Contractor installed rebar mats in the pile cap at the South gate. Contractor reconfigured and staged concrete forms for the South gate pile cap. Contractor continued drilling battered and vertical piles along the South walkway. Contractor placed and finished 42 CYs of concrete at the South gate pile cap. Contractor cut installed piles to the required height and installed a plate and nut. Contractor stripped forms from the concrete pour, repositioned and reinstalled them for the next pour. Contractor spread ½” stone around the installed piles along the south walkway. Contractor fabricated the inserts for the battered walls of the retaining and outside walls at the South gate. Contractor installed the retaining wall forms (where the concrete sign is located) at the South entrance gate. Contractor installed the rebar for the retaining wall at the south gate. Contractor placed and finished 27 CY of concrete for the retaining wall at the South gate. Contractor continued fabricating false work for the south walk retaining and outside walls. Contractor completed the vertical rebar for the south walk pile cap walls. Contractor placed and finished 260 CY of concrete in upper South Road.
Contractor installed the conduit between light pole bases along the top of the West embankment. Contractor graded the area around the light pole bases and the upper roadway. Contractor spread dense grade along the upper West roadway. Contractor installed granite curb at the top of the West entrance and at the south end of the West stairway. Contractor caulked the joints between the West stairs and the walls on both sides. Contractor prepared the details at the West gate for paver installation.
Contractor removed the concrete slab from the walkway on the North side of the Monument. Contractor installed geofoam and compacted the backfill at the Northeast stairway. Contractor installed the trench drain system in the Northeast stairway. Contractor began shimming the Upper Roadbed with dense grade. Contractor removed the top 2 feet of the Support of Excavation (SOE) wall. Contractor installed shoring at the top of the Northeast stairway. Contractor rough graded the Northeast stairway, North embankment, and other areas around the North gate. Contractor excavated for the footing at the top of the Northeast stairway and began tying rebar for the Northeast stair.
Contractor began installation of the irrigation piping, wiring, and valves. Contractor continued pulling lighting circuits in the upper areas of the site. Contractor completed the rough grade of the irrigation system on the North and West embankments. Contractor mobilized a portable conveyor system for the spreading and fine grading of screened loam on the North and West embankments.

Project Progress

Monument Updates:

The contractor installed marble slabs on course numbers 65, 66, 69, and 71.
The contractor hoisted and installed columns on course 75.
Work continued on the CMU structure. Workers bricked the void between the marble and the CMU structure. They also drilled and fastened marble slabs to the CMU superstructure and applied two coats of water-resistant treatment to the exterior surface of the CMU superstructure.
The contractor continued installing the flashing and waterproofing at course numbers 61, 63, 64, 65, and 67. Contractor soldered joints on the flashing and courses 64 and 67.
The contractor installed flashing and counter flashing on the marble slabs on courses 71, 72, and 73.
Workers continued repointing marble slabs on all exterior elevations of Level 3.
The contractor worked on marble repairs on Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 at both North and South elevation, as well as made repairs to exterior marble slabs.
Workers pressure-washed marble slabs on Level 3 and Level 4.
The contractor installed structural steel at base of Lantern/Level 4.
The contractor continued erecting scaffolding at the top of the monument.
The electrician installed conduit for lighting circuits inside the monument.

Hardscape Updates:

The contractor installed the concrete forms for the Southeast Stairway. Workers fabricated the carpentry inserts for the angled wall surfaces of the Southeast stair walls as well as the retaining and outside walls. They then installed the concrete forms and system components along the Southeast stairs. The contractor placed and finished 36 cubic yards of concrete for the Southeast Stairway walls. The contractor disassembled concrete forms from around the southeast stairs. They installed concrete forms for retaining wall and outer low walls on the Southeast stair. The contractor then fabricated the inserts for the battered wall surfaces of the Southeast retaining and outside walls.
The contractor reconfigured and staged concrete form system components for the south gate pile cap. They fabricated the inserts for the battered walls of the retaining and outside walls at the south gate.
For the West Stairway, workers constructed and installed the concrete forms, and they fabricated and installed risers on the south side of the West stairs. The contractor placed and finished 32 cubic yards of concrete on the north side of the West entrance. Then they calked the joints on each side of the west stair. The contractor detailed the joint between the West stairs and the walls on both sides, mixed and applied sealant. The contractor installed rebar assemblies and a bond breaker at each step on the south leg of the West stair and placed 32 cubic yards of concrete on the north section of the West stairs.
The contractor removed the Support of Excavation (SOE) walls and installed electrical conduit between light poles along the North Road. The electrician located the service conduits at the transformer near the north gate. The contractor and electrician workers together to locate the duct bank conduits and backfilled the Northeast stairway.
Workers removed the concrete slabs and walls on the existing south walkway and then completed laying out and pinning the piles along it. They then cut to rough grade for the installation of piles at the west end of the south walkway and loaded spoils for export. The contractor final cut the south walkway and cast spoils on west embankment for rough grade. Then, they drilled soil nails for Support of Excavation (SOE) wall along the Southeast walkway. The contractor hung mesh and sprayed the retaining wall with concrete.
Workers graded embankment in the Northeast quadrant of the site outside of the north road. The contractor rough graded the area between the west gate and the upper roadway.
The contractor installed the geofoam and backfilled at the Northeast stairway.
Installation of the irrigation controls on the west side and backfilling began.
The contractor detailed the fish plaques.

Monument Updates

The contractor fastened limestone slabs to structure below. They installed and detailed Level 4 structural steel on top of limestone slabs. Then, the contractor installed brick and CMU block behind structural steel at the top of the Monument and installed next course of marble veneer.
Workers installed flashing and waterproofing at various areas of the Monument.
The contractor reinstalled marble masonry corners on course #64 and began installing the infill between. They reinstalled marble cornice on course #63 on all elevations and set mable blocks on courses #64 and #65. The contractor worked on installing 4th level cornice. They installed all of the masonry infill between marble course #65 and structural steel. Also, the contractor installed lead coated copper flashing at upper cornice and soldered joints.
Workers continued grouting marble joint on the lower areas of the Monument. In the staging area, workers continued repairing and modifying various marble masonry units. The contractor began working from the scaffolding making repairs on marble masonry units that remained in place and replacing those that were not reparable. The contractor saw cut and repointed mortar joints and restored/replaced bricks on the inside of Level 3.
The contractor replaced the marble balusters on each of the elevations of Level 3.
Workers jack hammered and modified the beam pockets for new structural steel beams to support level 1 floor slab. They began repointing foundation blocks in the basement level of the Monument. Workers drove grounding rods in the basement of the Monument and connected them with the necessary conductor. Lastly, the contractor installed grounding rod and sleeves in first floor slab.
The contractor installed first floor steel and deck. They set the base plates for the first floor structural steel beam and installed first floor structural steel framing. Also, the contractor welded the new first floor metal deck and placed and finished 5 cubic yard of concrete on first floor deck.

Hardscape Updates

The contractor continued rough grading the embankment above the West entrance gate. The contractor began removing and loading the concrete roadway at the top of the West embankment. They also installed concrete forms for the risers on the north side of West stair.
Workers continued caulking control joints on the face of the North Road retaining wall. They placed and finished 80 cubic yards of concrete along the North Road and northeast stair. Workers began framing the carpentry infill for forming the next sections of concrete walls along the North Road. The contractor installed ductile iron pipe for storm water system at the North gate. They also repositioned concrete forms and carpentry infill on the remaining sections of northeast stair. Workers then began erecting forms on the remaining low outside walls of the North Road. The contractor installed geofoam and dense grade at the North gate. The contractor backfilled and compacted the North Road at the entrance gate and backfilled retaining wall. Workers placed and finished 55 cubic yards of concrete in the low wall of the North Road and northeast stair. They also installed geofoam and began backfilling/compacting with dense grade on the North Road. The contractor moved concrete form system panels for the next wall pour.
Workers completed the installation of the light pole bases along the outside of the Upper North Road.
The contractor began installing plywood protection on the concrete walls on both sides of the North access road. They placed and finished 25 cubic yards of concrete in the Northeast stair retaining wall.
The contractor completed backfilling the connecting Southwest wall and began grading for paving.
Workers staged forms for demobilization and for work at the Southeast Stair. The contractor began constructing the concrete form systems and the carpentry falsework for the angled surface of the Southeast stair.
Workers installed conduit between light pole bases throughout the site.

August Photo Gallery

Monument Updates

The contractor continued repairing and modifying various masonry units in the staging area.
On Level 4, the contractor repointed the exterior marble masonry units. They also grouted lower courses of the marble veneer and prepped Level 4 limestone slabs for hoisting. Also, the contractor fastened limestone slabs at Level 4 structural deck.
Workers continued grouting marble joints on lower areas of the monument.
Workers installed the keystone in each of the outer four arches. They completed installation and fastening of all arches on all elevations and installed marble on both sides of each arch.
At Level 2, the contractor chipped and removed the concrete slab and casted finished concrete on the top of the Level 2 slab. Also on the Level 2 slab, the contractor installed the epoxy coated welded wire mesh and the topping. The contractor mixed concrete for the second floor slab topping and mortar for the laying of interior brick.
Workers continued saw cutting joints, replacing brick and restoring the brick veneer inside the Monument at Level 3. They also worked inside the monument restoring the interior brick that was blocked by the shoring. Additionally, workers layed inside surface finish brick and the brick in each corner of the landing of Level 3.
The contractor worked inside the Monument at Level 1 restoring the brick under the stair and around the circuit panel. Beginning at Level 2, the contractor began the washdown of the restored interior brick. They also finished interior brick at Level 3 and pointed marble veneer joints. On Level 4, the contractor also washed the interior brick veneer.
The contractor removed and painted the spiral stair assembly. They also installed the spiral stair along with its metal enclosure and cap in the Monument.

Hardscape Updates

The contractor loaded triaxles with spoils from the cut between the West stair and North Road pile cap, removing spoils and concrete from the site. Workers continued installing trench drain in the West stairway. The contractor backfilled and compacted subgrade at the street level of the West gate.
The contractor installed the footings for the connection of the North Road pile cap and West stair. They installed rebar for the West stair beginning at the north and worked their way southward. Then, the contractor rough graded southwest area of the site and installed trench drains on the south leg of the West stair.
Work continued along the North Road. The contractor continued installing the carpentry inserts and cant strips in the concrete wall forms along the North Road. They hoisted concrete panels onto and off the North Road. The contractor reconfigured concrete form panel system for retaining and outside walls of North Road, as well as reconfigured and installed structural concrete form system on the North Road pile caps. The contractor installed finish detail in the concrete forms to prepare for concrete placement. Workers installed carpentry for the angled face of the retaining walls, then they placed and finished 50 cubic yards of concrete on the retaining wall sides of the roadway. The contractor caulked control joints on backfill/infill side of the North retaining wall. They also broke down and began reconfiguring concrete forms and carpentry for the next section of outside low walls of the North Road. The contractor installed and connected area drain structure at the North gate. The contractor cut openings in concrete drain structures and installed drain lines behind retaining wall along North Road.
Workers began the removal of concrete walks on the South side of the Monument. They then installed dense grade for concrete walks on both the North and South of the Monument. Next, they installed grade and subgrade under upper South roadway.
The contractor installed light pole bases south of the upper roadway. They installed light pole bases and conduit on the south side of the West stair and along outside of upper South Road.

July Photo Gallery

Monument Updates

The contractor installed and soldered flashing at Level 3 cornice. This process included applying liquid moisture barrier and sealing flashing reveals.
Workers continued cutting, repairing, and installing marble masonry units on the Monument. They laid up concrete blocks that were cut, prepared, and staged at the top of the Monument. They also mechanically fastened the repaired and modified masonry units to the CMU superstructure.
The contractor fabricated and installed carpentry templates for the masonry arches on all four sides of the Monument. They completed installing and mechanically fastened repaired and modified marble masonry arches. The contractor installed the masonry bond beam by modifying the CMUs and installing horizontal rebar. Workers grouted the bond beam and mechanically fastened the top layer of marble. They also mechanically fastened marble masonry units on each side of the four arches.
The contractor cut the joints, replaced the brick, and restored interior brick veneer inside Monument at Level 3.
Workers erected various staging system components (scaffolding).

Hardscape Updates

The contractor sealed control joints on the top and rear of the West stair retaining wall. They also began installing geo-foam on the north end of the West stair.
Workers installed carpentry fillers for the angled face of low concrete wall in the West South stair area, as well as placed and finished 30 cubic yards of concrete in this area. Then, workers disassembled the concrete form system and the wood framed infill from the angled wall surfaces.
The contractor rough graded areas outside the West gate and installed dense grade in the West stairway as well as trench drains in the northern area of the West stair. In the southern stairway of the west gate, the contractor installed geofoam. They also completed installation of light pole bases in the West stair area.
Workers constructed forms for North Road pile cap in preparation for concrete. They constructed the keyways and concrete stops for the for the North Road pile cap and continued with the installation of reinforcing steel in the North Road pile caps.
The contractor began installing the vertical rods for the retaining wall in the northeast staircase as well as the vertical rods for the North Road retaining and perimeter walls. The contractor assembled concrete form systems for the North Road retaining walls.
The contractor assembled the carpentry inserts for the angled face of the retaining wall at and around North gate. They also placed 53 cubic yards of concrete in various retaining wall sections around the North gate. Lastly, the contractor disassembled concrete form sections and carpentry inserts for the angled face of the retaining walls around the North gate.

June Photo Gallery

Monument Updates

The contractor grouted masonry cavities along the top course of masonry at structural steel base frame. At the top of the monument, workers also placed CMU block and reinforcing steel.
In the staging area, the contractor continuously cut, modified, and repaired masonry stones. They also received, set, grouted, and fastened various masonry units (including the cantilevered cornice) hoisted from the staging area on top of the Monument. The contractor consolidated palletized masonry units in the staging area. Workers performed masonry repairs to exterior marble masonry units below level 3.
Work continued on Level 3. The contractor set concrete blocks for the Level 3 super structure and continued installing Level 3 marble. The contractor installed and soldered flashing at Level 3 cornice. They disassembled and removed carpentry shoring supporting concrete in place level 3 deck as well as removed all the wood framing shoring installed to support level 3 deck.
The contractor placed and finished concrete on the Level 4 deck of the Monument.
The contractor worked inside the monument at the Level 2 floor slab, saw cutting and pointing brick joints.

Hardscape Updates

The contractor continued setting up forms for the outside wall north of the West gate (main entrance). They continued breaking down all the carpentry infill used on the West retaining wall. The contractor mixed and began applying sealant to the control joints on the back surface of the West retaining wall. Workers reconfigured concrete form systems north of the West gate while also erecting forms for the low walls south of the West gate. The contractor placed and finished 33 cubic yards of concrete in outside/lower wall south of West gate. They began framing falsework for outside lower walls remaining in West wall south of West gate. The contractor installed geotextile and backfilled outside lower wall north of West gate. The contractor broke down forms from the outer low walls south of the West gate and received and installed 2.5" stone behind West retaining wall.
The contractor continued installing rebar in the area east of South gate. They began constructing form for pile cap east of the South gate and loaded excavated spoils from laydown area where trees were removed along south road. The contractor stripped, broke-down, and palletized the concrete forms from the pile caps east of the South gate. Additionally, the contractor began reinstalling concrete forms in the South.
The contractor continued cutting and benching the North Road and loading spoils. At the North access road, the contractor completed and grouted soil nails and began layout of mini piles. The contractor removed concrete and added stone bed to upper North roadway. The contractor cut the casing and chipped away grout from the piles installed in the North roadbed. Workers continued constructing pile caps in the North access road and completed grading and benching the North Road subgrade with stone. Additionally, the contractor executed pile tension and compression tests on the piles in the North Road. The contractor began installation of reinforcing steel in the North Road pile caps. Lastly, the contractor received and staged fourth and last load of rebar for North Road.

May Photo Gallery

Monument Updates

This month, the contractor made masonry repairs to the various stones from the staging area. Masons also cut exterior marble units. The contractor saw cut mortar joints and replaced brick and tuck pointed joints. Additionally, the contractor restored brick inside monument.
To prepare for Monument reconstruction, the contractor staged structural steel. The contractor installed anchors at the top course of masonry units for structural steel installation. The contractor subsequently welded grillage and Level 4 structural steel. During ultrasound testing, the contractor made any needed repairs.
The contractor grouted masonry cavities along the top course of masonry at structural steel base frame.

Hardscape Updates

On the grounds of the Dorchester Heights Monument, the contractor placed 50 cubic yards of concrete in inner retaining walls at the west south staircase (south of the main/west entrance gate). The contractor installed rebar to inner retaining wall at the west north staircase (north of the main/west entrance gate).
The contractor set concrete from panels and wood falsework for wall north of west gate. The contractor relocated and reinstalled concrete forms and carpentry falsework for retaining wall sections north of west gate.
North of the north gate, the contractor tied rebar for pile caps. Contractor also placed concrete in pile caps in the area east of north gate (located next to the northeast boudary of the grounds).
The contractor installed rebar east of the south gate (located next to the southeast boundary of the grounds). Additionally, the contractor constructed form for pile caps east of the south gate. The contractor loaded excavated spoils from laydown areas where trees were removed along south road.
The contractor hammered and removed concrete along the outside and inside edges of north road. The contractor excavated the north road to rough grade for installation of the Support of Excavation (SOE) wall. In addition to this work, the contractor removed spoil from north road. The contractor completed and grouted soil nails and began layout of mini piles in the north access road.

April Photo Gallery

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Project Purpose and Goals