View of Worcester courtesy of the Worcester Historical Museum

At an elevation of 625 feet above sea level, Union Hill is a prominent eminence above the City, but the origin of its name is not so apparent. Neighborhood folklore linked the name to a Civil War hospital that once crowned the top of the hill. In this brief but significant event in the neighborhood’s history, a large, turreted building served as a Civil War hospital for Massachusetts soldiers recuperating from wounds received in the battlefront down South. Years later, the building became a dormitory at Worcester Academy, known as Davis Hall, but it was common knowledge in the neighborhood that it once had been a Civil War hospital. For many years, the neighbors made the connection that the hill was named for the hospital’s Union soldiers. In reality, the neighborhood was named long before the arrival of the soldiers.

The name Union Hill relates to both national and local history.  As far back as the founding of the United States, the word union was a synonym for “nation”.  In the early days of the country, the word “union” carried the connotation of good faith, cooperation, and law among the politically independent states and peoples.  George Washington used the term regularly in his Presidency to help unify the former colonies into a cohesive nation.

By the 1830s, the word union was a very patriotic term in the northern States, and in particular the growing town of Worcester.  An 1837 lithograph titled, “View of Worcester, Taken From Union Hill” depicts a thriving town with hundreds of small whitewashed homes.  Most of these homes are situated close to a half-dozen churches whose spires stand out above the town’s Main Street.  The lithograph shows Blackstone Canal prominently with a barge brimming with goods being pulled upstream by two draft horses along the towpath. Near the canal are large mills that were powered by the water of the Mill Brook.  While there are no smoke stacks hinting at the advent of the industrial revolution, the drawing demonstrates that the village was a healthy center of commerce.

Blackstone Canal closeup courtesy of Worcester Historical Museum

At the time of this scene, however, there were issues swirling around that were causing tension throughout the new country. After the end of the conflict with England in the War of 1812, the United States developed a strong tariff policy to promote American commerce within its borders, rather than trade with other countries, in particular Britain.  The tariff caused financial problems in the southern states as the South was a farming economy that depended on foreign trade.  Most importantly, the plantations of the region depended on the export of cotton to England for their financial success.  Not surprisingly, the Southerners were infuriated when Congress passed a high protective tariff in 1828.  The new law drove up the cost of imported British goods effectively diminishing Southern exports.  Conversely, the tariff was popular in the North because their finished goods were now less expensive that Britain’s, so textile production increased and overall commerce grew.

As their economy faltered, southern politicians, particularly those in South Carolina, blamed the Federal government and ultimately a crisis was forced upon the whole country. In 1832 and 1833, South Carolina voted to “nullify” the Federal tariff meaning the laws were “null and void” within that state.  In response to the resistance, President Andrew Jackson prepared to send troops to South Carolina to arrest the opponents.  Jackson’s actions were supported in the North, which wanted to see the Union preserved and conflict with the South averted.

The Nullification crisis crystallized the Northerners opposition to the sectionalism of the South, that threatened war between the North and South.  The most eloquent proponent of their beliefs was Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster.  In a January 26, 1830 Senate speech, Webster characterized the Southern viewpoint as “Liberty first and Union afterwards” and ended with the phrase, “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!”   Thus, the term Union was very popular, and even patriotic, in this part of the country.

Naming the summit Union Hill is likely to have been a marketing strategy to create the image the land was a worthy place to live.  In the foreground of the 1837 lithograph, a stone wall runs along the bottom of the hillside.  Clearly, years before a farmer had built the wall as the border to his property, but now recent tree stumps and an expansive lawn show that the land had been cleared so that the new neighborhood would have a commanding view of the bustling town.

Cleared land of Union Hill courtesy of Worcester Historical Museum

Mrs. Carter’s 7th grade advisees spent some time this week creating Valentines for residents at the Radius Health Care Nursing Home near our campus.  These masterpieces will surely bring a smile to the faces of some of our senior citizens.

Here is a brief look at some of the sports offered in the Middle School for the Winter Season.

Boys’ Basketball

The Worcester Academy Middle School Boys’ Basketball Team ended a great season last year; however, with new eight graders coming back, they have greater skills. Sam Joaquin, an eighth grader, thinks that the team will have great chemistry this year due to the eight graders, who are great leaders on the court.

When interviewed, Sam Joaquin, told us that he is excited for the up coming season and to play with his friends.  Joaquin also predicts a good season for their team, due to all the new players coming in. Sam, a“6 foot 2 monster”, says that he has a lot of trust in his eight grade teammates to lead the team to victory.

Girls’ Basketball

Worcester Academy Middle School Girls’ basketball team is currently 7-1.  The team’s captains are Alex Radel and Carly Heman. They practice four, hard times, a   week, with many drills. Many new girls to the team do not know what to during these complicated drills. Their coach, Mr. McCarthy, tries to bring drills and hard aggression to the team. The team brings great enthusiasm to every game and they give it 100 percent.   Girls’ Basketball plans on finishing the season with as many wins as possible and on bringing great success to the Middle School.

Wrestling Team

The Worcester Academy Wrestling team is having a rough start to the season going 0-3; however, they never give up and never surrender. The team is led by Byron Leigh and Johnston Wheeler, who bring experience and leadership to the mat. While some wrestlers are new to the sport, others are experienced, such as Aman “the darkness,” Byron “the freak” Leigh, Johnston “Philipe” Wheeler, Connor McCarthy, and Chris “Snappy” Hunter. The team has and will always bounce back from any loss and come back determined for victory.

During the winter months, the 6th graders in Mrs. Baldwin’s English class each chose a fiction independent read book. After completing the book, a list of eight possible projects was given to the students. The completed projects were presented in class. Click here to view the projects… and enjoy!

The NFL postseason has arrived and the teams in AFC (America Football conference) are the Indianapolis Colts (14-2) who are the number one seed (they face the lowest winning seed) and The San Diego Chargers (13-3) are the number two seed (they face the highest winning seed). The wild card teams are the New York Jets (9-7), the Cincinnati Bengals (10-6), the New England Patriots (10-6), and the Baltimore Ravens (9-7).

The first game in the wild card was the New York Jets against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets had some luck as the Bengal’s kicker, Shayne Graham, missed two field goals. Shonn Green was a big impact as he had 135 yards with one touchdown. Dustin Keller had 3 catches, 99 yard, and 1 touchdown. Pro-bowler Darrelle Revis covered Chad Ochocinco (the Bengals best wide receiver) that gave Carson Palmer (QB) few options to throw to which led to an interception. Mark Sanchez (Jets QB) had 182 yards throwing with one touchdown. The Jets beat the Bengals for a 24-14-win. They go to the divisional round. Then the Patriots squared off against the Ravens. Ray Rice ran 83 yards for a touchdown on the first play at the line of scrimmage. The Ravens scored 24 points in the first quarter. Wes Welker was out with an injury and Welker was a huge part of the Patriots offense. He usually was thrown to on third downs. Lots of cornerbacks tried to stop, but could not. Tom Brady feeling pressure was intercepted 3 times. The Ravens beat the Patriots at home for a 33-14 win to face the Colts.

In the divisional round, the New York Jets play the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers had a 7-point lead in halftime. Nate Kaeding missed 3 field goals, which broke his record of missing a field goal of 40 yards or less. Phillip River (Chargers QB) was intercepted 2 times, but had 298 yards in the air. Shonn Green once again had 23 carries, 128 yards, with 1 touchdown. Mark Sanchez was intercepted once with 100 yards in the air. The Jets came back and beat the Chargers 17-14 and they would go to the championship game. The Colts had to face the red-hot Ravens. The Colts offense did very well against the Ravens defense. The Ravens offense turned over the ball more than 3 times. Peyton Manning (Colts QB) had one interception, with 246 yards in the air. He had 2 touchdown throws. The Ravens didn’t get anything productive as the Colts defense’s speed stopped both the running and the throwing game. The Colts beat the Ravens 20-3. The Colts would go to the championship game.

In the championship game the Colts were up against the number one defense in the league. At first the Jets defense were out playing the Colts and the offense was attacking in every different direction. Just in the second quarter Mark Sanches (QB) threw to Braylon Edwards and he ran it all the way. Then when the Jets had the game going well for them, Peyton Manning (Colts QB) figured out the defense. He threw to Pierre Garcon for a touchdown. After a field goal and another touchdown the game was sealed, as the Mark Sanchez was intercepted. The Colts beat the Jets 30-17 for a victorious golden ticket to the Super Bowl for the second time this decade.

In the NFC (National Football Conference) the teams are the New Orleans Saints (13-3) who are number one seed (they face the lowest winning seed) and the Minnesota Vikings (12-4) are number two seed (they face the highest winning seed). The wild card teams are the Dallas Cowboys (11-5), Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), Arizona Cardinals (10-6), and the Green Bay Packers (11-5).

First, the Dallas Cowboys faced the Philadelphia Eagles. Felix Jones with 16 carries for 148 and 1 touchdown. Tony Romo had 244 yards with 2 touchdowns. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 34-14 and they go to the divisional round. The Arizona Cardinals took on the Green Bay Packers. Both defenses couldn’t stop the offenses. They went into overtime as a 45-45 score. In overtime, strangely the Arizona Cardinals defense came up and forced fumble Aaron Rodgers. Karlos Dansby picked the football up and ran it all the way. The Cardinals go to the divisional round.

In the divisional round, the Vikings faced the Cowboys. Sydney Rice with 3 touchdowns. Brett Favre had 234 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Vikings beat the Cowboys 34-3 and go to the championship game. The Saints faced the Cardinals. Tim Hightower got a touchdown on the first play, but the Saints gave a proficient answer with a touchdown drive. Warner got hurt and the Cardinals couldn’t recover. The Saints went to the champion ship game with a win 45-14.

The Vikings and the Saints faced off for a glorious Super Bowl ticket. The Vikings were outplaying the Saints, but the Saints responded to every touchdown. The game was tied 28-28 and one throw from Brett Favre would get in field goal range. He threw and was intercepted. Now the officials say that it should have been flagged and the interception canceled. The teams went into overtime. The Saints scored a field goal for a 31-28 win. The Saints go to the Super Bowl for the first time in history.