In 1909, Barre stonecutter and Scottish immigrant William Foster Milne founded America’s first Boy Scout troop with materials shipped directly from Europe’s fledgling Boy Scout movement, and in the basement of the Baptist Church he taught citizenship, patriotism, moral conduct, and the proper attitude toward others. In the mid-1800's, Barre’s booming granite industry brought waves of immigrants from neighboring Canada and across Europe, making it one of the state’s most diversely populated cities. The beauty of Barre Grey granite and the craftsmanship of the city’s stoneworkers earned Barre the title Granite Center of the World. Carlo Abate, born in Italy and immigrating to America in 1896, was a talented stone artist who founded the Barre Evening Drawing School in 1911 and taught subjects from freehand drawing to monument drafting. A world-renowned sculptor, he contributed the figures at the entrance to Hope Cemetery and the concept for this monument.

Photo: Stephen Restelli

Photo: Stephen Restelli

Photo: Stephen Restelli

Photo: Stephen Restelli

Photo: Stephen Restelli