Falmouth in Barnstable County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Katharine Lee Bates
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 16, 2023
1. Katharine Lee Bates Marker
Teacher · Poet · Author of "America the Beautiful"
At the summit of Pike's Peak, Colorado, in 1893 the opening lines of "America the Beautiful" floated into the mind of Katharine Lee Bates and gave new meaning to the spectacular view. The sculptor has portrayed the young poet at that moment.
Professor of English Literature at Wellesley College, Miss Bates lectured that summer at Colorado College, Colorado Springs. She had visited the Alabaster World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and crossed the amber grain fields of the mid-west before reaching the majestic purple Rockies. On a faculty outing to the famous peak, images of the journey reappeared in her inspired poetic vision of America.
Born to the Reverend and Mrs. William Bates in the parsonage of First Congregational Church on the village green, Katharine spent formative years in Falmouth. At age 12, she moved with her family to Wellesley Hills. Later entering Wellesley College, she became president of its second graduating class and returned to teach for 40 years. Author of 32 books, Miss Bates was well-traveled, gracious, witty, popular, scholarly. Falmouth remained her home town, revisited nearly every year. She is buried beside her parents in Falmouth's Oak Grove Cemetery.
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Falmouth Public Library, Falmouth, Massachusetts
Statue commissioned 1984 by The Board of Trustees: William T. Munson, Chmn., Otis M. Porter, Jr., Petra S. Finnell, Elizabeth H. Bothner, Roy L. Cooke, Julia Taylor, Library Director: Ann Haddad. Statue unveiled August 12, 1986. Dedicated August 12, 1988. Bronze casting by Tallix Foundry, Beacon, NY., Landscape architect: Carol R. Johnson, Cambridge, Mass.
Sculptor: Lloyd Lillie
1686 Falmouth Tricentennial 1986
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism.
Location. 41° 33.146′ N, 70° 36.88′ W. Marker is in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in Barnstable County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 28) and Library Lane, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Located in front of Falmouth Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Main Street, Falmouth MA 02540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Falmouth World War II Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Falmouth WWI Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Tommy Leonard (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Teaticket History (approx. 1.4
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 16, 2023
2. Katharine Lee Bates Marker
Also see . . . Katharine Lee Bates (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 3, 2023, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 16, 2023
3. Katharine Lee Bates
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
