This is Turtle Boy

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The Burnside Fountain of Worcester, MA (aka Turtle Boy)

The Burnside Fountain, known locally as Turtle Boy is located on the Worcester Common. It’s actually two pieces of art – the base and the statue. The base is made of pink granite and featured functioning watering troughs for horses and dogs when it was unveiled. The fountain and troughs don’t have water running to them anymore. There has been talk of restoring the water to the fountain and students at WPI did a study in 2012 but nothing has come of it so far.

The more well-known piece is the bronze statue of a boy holding a Hawksbill Sea Turtle called “Boy with a Turtle”. The statue is known locally as “Turtle Boy” though. Turtle Boy is either a beloved unofficial mascot of the City or a source of embarrassment depending on which Worcester resident you ask.

Obviously, I’ve embraced the statue as mascot. I built this site in 2008 and was part of the Turtle Boy Urban Gardening crew.

the Burnside Fountain from the left.
The statue is obviously the inspiration for the name “Turtle Boy”.

Turtle Boy is located in Worcester, MA at the corner of Franklin St. and Church St. I made a map so you can visit it when you’re in the City. Take a selfie and tag me @worcturtleboy on both Instagram and Twitter.

  • Wider angle of Turtle Boy from the right showing buildings and street in the background.
    Turtle Boy 2021
    The city has been refurbishing monuments and statues around the city and it was finally Turtle Boy’s turn. Worcester residents had some feelings about it. […]
  • Roadkill Orchestra 2015
    Turtleboy Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 (Live At the Emporium)2010 J. Stuart EstyReleased on: 2010-12-22
  • A Wreath For Turtle Boy, 2018
    For Cathy My friend and amazing florist, Cathy Walsh, put a wreath on Turtle Boy every year because she loved Christmas and making people smile. […]
  • Burnside Fountain from the left
    Turtle Boy From Every Angle
    Burnside Fountain, Worcester, MA / Photos from April 2008
  • Turtle Boy statue.
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    Get your own Digital Turtle Boy created by Mike Benedetti and Ben Cummings of Happiness Pony. You can buy one at Shapeways or get the […]
  • Turtle Boy T-Shirts at That’s Entertainment
    Turtle Boy t-shirt @thatsepics 🐢💚 https://t.co/hv0NlEhAwI https://t.co/KygnXUn2DZ That’s Entertainment is on Park Ave., Worcester, Ma.