‘Gothic-style clock tower will preserve spirit of original’ Worcester Telegram & Gazette Read Time 1 Minute Issues and Ideas Academics In a recent article, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette spoke with Christopher Dustin, professor of philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross, about the almost completed reconstruction of the Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower that once stood as a part of the Worcester Lunatic Asylum. The clock tower, which was originally built in 1877 and recently torn down, is being rebuilt to stand on its own using the original facing stones. The article discusses how the new structure should be defined—as a restoration, a reproduction, a monument? "A monument is something that marks the spot or takes the place of the something that was there before,” says Dustin. “This isn't really like that. It was there before, but in a different form."Dustin offers, "You take that idea of a clock tower that stood at the center of the building, and you put it back but with nothing around it. It's taken out of its practical context, which can seem odd, but it also calls attention to that original idea in a new way." Read the full article on the T&G website. This is a “Holy Cross in the News” item by Evangelia Stefanakos. More Stories Image Go to Story Ritual, Community and Shared Experience: Running the Boston Marathon Image Go to Story Faculty, Worcester Partnerships Solve Real-World Problems Image Go to Story Remembering the Truth-Telling Outsider View All Stories
In a recent article, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette spoke with Christopher Dustin, professor of philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross, about the almost completed reconstruction of the Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower that once stood as a part of the Worcester Lunatic Asylum. The clock tower, which was originally built in 1877 and recently torn down, is being rebuilt to stand on its own using the original facing stones. The article discusses how the new structure should be defined—as a restoration, a reproduction, a monument? "A monument is something that marks the spot or takes the place of the something that was there before,” says Dustin. “This isn't really like that. It was there before, but in a different form."
