The city of Worcester, Massachusetts, is a small city located in central Massachusetts, United States. Worcester is governed by a council-manager system, with a mayor elected by the public and a council appointed by the mayor. A city manager handles traditional chief executive functions. A city manager is responsible for overseeing city government. The city also has a Fire Department and police department. To learn more about the city and its history, read this article.
The Southwest Asia War Memorial is one of the few monuments of its kind in the U.S., erected by the Desert Calm Committee in 1993 and located in the city’s Common. It was built in honor of those who served in the conflict in the region during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns. The monument is unique because it consists of a standing monument and a lower tablet with words and nine names. The Southwest Asia War Memorial is dedicated to the men and women who died in the conflict, and is one of the few in the country.
The city grew as an industrial center during the 19th century, thanks to the Blackstone Canal and rail transport. Manufacturing industries flourished in Worcester, producing machinery, textiles, and wire. Several European immigrants settled in the area and the city became very popular. Unfortunately, the city’s manufacturing base declined after World War II. In fact, the population declined until the 1990s, when the city began to rebound. Currently, the population of Worcester is up 28% since the 1980 census. Urban renewal has brought about some significant changes to the city, however.
The Westside of Worcester is the city’s most affluent neighborhood, containing many expensive homes from the industrial era. Located just south of Webster Square, Main South is home to many coffee shops and college bars. However, despite the city’s reputation as a “dark side,” the city is home to many cultural institutions and small, inexpensive restaurants. There are also a few lakes to enjoy a meal.
The Worcester Art Museum has an extensive collection of works of art from ancient Antioch to modern day. Its floor features mosaics from the ancient city of Antioch. The museum also has the nation’s first public school collaboration that introduced art into school curriculum in 1927. Education programs at the Worcester Art Museum include public and private tours, artist talks, and studio art classes. It is well worth a visit to Worcester and its museums. Its mission is to make art accessible to the public and educate its residents.
The community is home to four colleges. The College of the Holy Cross is the most well-known, representing both the NCAA Division I and II and the NCAA Division III. The Crusaders won two NCAA men’s basketball championships in 1947 and 1954, and have produced many NBA and NIT hall-of-fame players. The Unitarian-Universalist Church in Worcester and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Needham were both founded in 1841.