News, News and More Bad Preservation News

42 Main Street

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin.

It hasn’t been a good month for historical preservation in Southborough. Earlier this year, the Historical Commission was notified that the Fay School, which owns the 1840s home at 42 Main Street, wants to tear it down to build “an appropriately historical structure.” The school is claiming that the building is unsound even though it was continually inhabited until a few years back, when Fay purchased it for roughly 350K.

Personally, I and others will go picket at the Fay entrance if they try to tear down this historic gem. (I already have my placard picked out: Teach History! Don’t Destroy It!) This house was home to the town’s physician, Dr. Stone, for decades and has served a number of other important roles over the years. With its rambling structure and attached barn it is an amazing example of the Greek Revival farmhouse style, and occupies a crucial plot of land directly across from the Town House.

If the Fay school no longer wishes to preserve the property, it should simply put it back on the market, sell it for a healthy profit, and let some young couple rehabilitate the structure and make it a thriving home again.

Unfortunately, I will have to follow the demolition permit process from afar, as last week the Board of Selectman forced me to resign from the Southborough Historical Commission after 21 years of service. It’s a long sordid story which you can read here in MySouthborough, but essentially the BOS got tired of my harassing them about their abject mishandling of the St. Mark’s Triangle project, and invented an excuse to get rid of me. However, as you read the article, I think you will agree the matter is far from closed.  As a final volley before I was forced off the decks, the Commission did send a letter to St. Mark’s School, essentially reminding them that as the owner of the St. Mark’s Triangle, it was their responsibility, or rather their duty, to ensure that there were no burials within the proposed construction sites before another spade of dirt is lifted—that is if we wish to continue to believe their claims of valuing diversity and Native American cultural heritage.

Finally, we received back the long awaited architects’ report on the Museum building funded through CPC monies. The story is bleak: the building requires 180K in essential repairs, mostly in long deferred maintenance.

To quote a favorite line from the Philadelphia Story, “this is one of those days that the pages of history teach us are best spent lying in bed.”

Would that the anti-preservation forces felt the same!

(On a personal note, I know all our hearts go out to the valiant, heroic, courageous people of Ukraine. Their horrific struggles set our first-world problems in true context, and we wish them godspeed in their valiant quest to save their homeland. Slava Ukraini!)

Good Omens for the New Year: National Register District Status Approved!

We are DEE-lighted, DEE-lighted to announce that as of the 29th of December, Southborough’s Downtown district, and all the structures nominated therein, are now listed the National Register of Historic Places. This has been a ten-year effort, championed by our dear departed friend, the late Kate Matison, who, I am sure, is smiling down from above. Congratulations to all involved, in particular to our good friends at the Southborough Historical Commission who helped push this through.

And in another good omen, the racist and white supremacist  battle flags that flew over the January 6th capital insurrection and that our Board of Selectmen voted last spring to maintain in the Old Burial Ground—despite a petition signed by 300 (!!!) individuals here in town—have mysteriously disappeared, poles and all!

Huzzah!

I would like to believe that more rational heads prevailed at Town Hall, but for whatever reason they are gone, and should be gone for good, as the Old Burial Ground is now on the National Register and flying such flags is against federal guidelines. Should they re-appear, a citizens’ petition to have them permanently banned certainly would be on the agenda for the next Town Meeting, and would most certainly pass.

And finally, don’t forget that December and January is our annual appeal! Please consider giving generously. Just click the button below to donate safely and easily online, or mail a check to 25 Common Street, Southborough, MA 01772


And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

 

Our Latest Book, “Tales of Old Southborough,” Arrives Just in Time for the Holidays!

 

Esther Louise Cunningham, née Burnett, was the granddaughter of Joseph Burnett and spent the early part of her life in 1880s Southborough. This is her account of those days, a glimpse into an almost forgotten past of bustles and crinoline dresses, Sunday teas, ice skating on Parker’s Pond, languid horseback rides through the countryside, and exciting trips into Boston by steam train—now for the first time illustrated with more than 60 historic photographs and illustrations to enhance and enliven this charming narrative.

This limited first edition is on sale now, and ships the second week of December. Order your copy now quickly and easily online by clicking the button below.





Old Burial Ground Moves to the Top of Southborough’s Most Endangered List After Clear-cutting of Adjacent Parcel

 

The newly clearcut triangle between St. Mark’s Street at left and Marlborough Road at right, looking north. Click any picture to enlarge.

Dear Friends,

I would like to share with you a letter I wrote to the relevant Town Board and state agencies as Chair of the Historical Commission regarding the wholesale clear-cutting of the parcel adjacent to the Old Burial Ground. Though this parcel is entirely owned by St Mark’s, the town has apparently reached some license agreement—vetted by neither the Planning Board or the Historical Commission, to reroute St. Mark’s street in order to enhance the sports parking area for the school and create a pocket park. Apparently, the Town is using state funds to do this project, and St. Mark’s is paying for some?—though who is paying for what remains unclear at this point. Unfortunately, this ill-conceived project threatens to unearth human remains and has now destabilized the entire remaining Old Burial Ground tree cover.

 

The plan for the entire triangle. Click to enlarge.

To: Southborough Select Board; Southborough Planning Board; Southborough Open Space Commission; The Southborough Historical Commission; Mark Purple, Southborough Town Administrator; Brona Simon, Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission and State Archeologist; Southborough Historical Society; Karen Galligan, Southborough Director of Public Works.

1 November 2021

As chair of the Historical Commission, I am writing to express extreme concern about the current road and park project along St. Mark’s street at the corner of Marlborough Road (Rte. 85).

 

Plans continue for a discontinued playground

Although the Southborough Historical Commission had seen some conceptual plans for a park and history-walk back in the spring, we had not heard about it since, and presumed the project dead. Suddenly last week, the entire triangle bordering the Old Burial Ground, Cordaville Road, and St. Mark’s Street was clear-cut over a period of two days, without consulting either the Historical Commission or seeking the required Planning Board site review and approval. After speaking with Karen Galligan, the DPW head, it now seems that the project is proceeding using only a conceptual plan, with major elements such as the history-walk and playground arbitrarily deleted. With the educational and entertainment features eliminated, what exactly is the point of this project except facilitating expanded parking for St. Marks School?

 

The plan showing the entire triangle, with park to the left and parking area to the right. Click to enlarge.

 

Had the Commission been consulted before construction began, we would have again warned the Board of Selectmen that previous ground radar surveys have indicated numerous colonial-era interments outside of the current Old Burial Ground (OBG) walls. Additionally, the wooded parcel that was cleared last week was also the most likely location of the original pre-contact Native American burial ground. Further soil disturbance so close to the OBG risks disinterment of human remains.

A man-made structure unearthed just outside the OBG walls. Crypt? Old Wall? Who knows without a proper archaeological inspection.

 

Equally critical, the clear-cutting of century-old woodland has now destroyed the windbreak for the trees in the Old Burial Ground, which were already in extremely precarious condition. With this protection removed, the OBG trees will now be highly susceptible to storm damage, which in turn risks the historic markers below.

One of the few remaining street trees I have objected to removing. The decision now moves to the BOS meeting this Wednesday 11/3. Please attend if you can.

Following the Historic Commission’s stated objection about felling trees on scenic roads, I have formally objected to the removal of any further trees on the site, in particular those along Marlborough Road.

Additionally, I would strongly advise the Board of Selectmen to work with the Historical Commission to fund an emergency professional tree survey of the Old Burial Ground with the idea of assessing the state of the remaining specimens, and doing any required pruning or removal before the onset of the winter storm season, in order to mitigate further damage to the burial stones. Long-term, there needs to be a proactive tree and marker restoration plan with sufficient annual funding to preserve the integrity of our most precious historical asset. There should also be a permanent marker acknowledging the Native American presence in this area.

Called widow makers for a reason, large dead branches like this can easily damage the historic markers below.

Regarding the park itself, in my professional capacity as the head of a landscape architecture firm, I have reviewed the proposed planting plan and design, and found them extremely lacking. The plant selection is poor and makes no provision for climate change. Even more worrisome, the entire design was conceived around a central play area that has been eliminated, rendering the current layout useless.

The design for the dead tree berm.

In particular, the proposal to cut down three large trees and use them sideways as some sort of tree-sculpture-berm-structure borders on the absurd, as after only a short period of ground contact, these trees will rot and create a huge legal liability for the town should anyone climb on them. There is also the issue of the historic stone wall along Marlborough road that will be destroyed if the current plans are implemented, violating our own preservation bylaw.

A typical tree in the OBG. The right side hasn’t lost its leaves, it is dead.

I would urge the Select Board to halt this project immediately until it can be thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Town Boards which should have been consulted before construction began: namely, Planning, Historical and Open Space. It remains unclear how much—if any—use by town residents the current “park” would have on such an isolated site without any attraction. The entire concept should be thoroughly reconsidered. Whatever else may happen to this parcel in the future, it is critical the area bordering the Old Burial Ground not be further disturbed, the expansion of the St. Mark’s parking area be visually mitigated, plans be made to restore the tree cover along the boundaries of the triangle, and immediate steps taken to preserve the existing trees and markers in the OBG.

Hard to believe this massive stump was a 100′ living oak a week ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historic Main Street Walking Tours 10/23 and 10/30

The Society is excited to announce two history walking tours on Main Street this October to celebrate our new Downtown National Register District!

The first, Model Farms and Country Seats, will explore the development of  West Main Street as an area of vast summer estates for Boston’s wealthy elite. Beginning at the museum, we’ll be taking in the history of Pilgrim Church, The Town House, St Marks, the Kidder, Choate and Sears Estates, as well as a special tour of the newly restored grounds at 84 Main Street, the Burnett Mansion.

Saturday 23 October at 1-3 PM
Limited to 30
Reserve your ticket HERE

 

 

The second tour, Merchants and Ministers, will head east from the museum to investigate the history of our main street from its origins as a native American trail to its development as a small commercial center. Stops will include most of the homes along Main Street, as well as the former sites of the railroad station, the Sealey Block, the Southborough Arms, and the second iteration of the Congregational Church. We’ll end up in the Old Burial Ground just in time for Halloween to hear some remarkable tales of those buried within.

Saturday 30 October at 1-3 PM
Limited to 30
Reserve Your Ticket HERE

Both tours will be led by SHS president Michael Weishan, and attendees will each receive an electronic headset to guarantee easy listening. Starting and ending point is the SHS Museum behind the town hall. While we will be on sidewalks most of the time, each tour is about 1.5 miles and encompasses hills, so comfortable clothes and shoes are a must. Rain dates are the following Sunday at 1 for each tour.

Tickets are free for Society members, $15 at the door for the general public. Advance reservations are required. Make your reservations soon as these will in fact sell out.

COVID restrictions: Age 12+ and full vaccination for all tour participants. Masks at your discretion.

Further Kindness of Strangers, Or, How The Election of 1799 Went

by Michael Weishan

I am constantly amazed at what pops up in Historical Society inbox. A week or so ago I received an email from a gentleman in Texas inquiring whether or not we would be interested in the official 1799 election results for Governor, Lt. Governor and Senator (presumably State Senator.) I replied that we would be delighted, and shortly thereafter this arrived in the mail:

What an amazing document!

The election that year was particularly interesting, as the much respected governor Increase Summer was running for a third term from what turned out to be his deathbed. He managed to rise only long enough to take the oath of office—and died several days later. The Lt. Governor, Moses Gill, (who interestingly was not the first choice of Southborough voters) then became governor. He too subsequently died in office, and it was the first and only time in Massachusetts history that the Governor’s Council briefly ruled the state.

This kind of document can tell us a lot beyond a basic tally. For instance, there were 61 total voters present at the election meeting (no voting booths then) and almost to a man (and they were all men) they supported the Federalist Candidate Increase Summer. That’s a remarkable level of uniformity even in so small of an electorate, and speaks to the conservative nature of our yeoman farmers, as well as the sparse population of the town at the time.  You can see also that one of our selectmen, Elijah Brigham, ran for Lt. Governor and was the majority choice of the town. He also was the majority choice for state senator.  Presumably that vote was simply one of loyalty to a native son, as it seems he didn’t win either post.  Interestingly too, the totals here would indicate that each voter listed his top four candidates in order of preference—in other words, exactly the type of ranked choice voting that has been in the news lately.

The 220 years of travels that this particular document have seen can’t even be imagined. Our kind Texas gentleman was a stamp collector and received the tally as part of a batch of documents some 30 years ago from a man in Colorado. How this sheet of paper got to Colorado is anyone’s guess, but we can safely assert that two centuries later this remarkable document has finally returned home,  once again due to the kindness of strangers.

 

PS: Due to the changing nature of the COVID situation, the Society is not planning any activities this Heritage Day. However, we ARE planning a guided history walking tour of Main Street in late October. Stay tuned for more info on that in a few days.

Election News and Other Updates

Dear friends,

Tuesday May 11 is election day here in Southborough, and normally, the Society would run a forum to poll candidates’ views on issues important to our members. However, this time, we can’t do that, as I have decided to run for Selectman, and it would hardly be fair for me to grill my worthy opponent, Mr. Andrew Dennington III ! So I am going to simply relate that you can find out more about me and my vision for Southborough at votemichaelweishan.com. As of this writing, we are unaware of Mr Dennington’s website, but we post it in the comments below when and if available.

Until the election I will be turning the podium over to our distinguished vice-president and historian, Sally Watters, who has been digging into the records to see what Revolutionary veterans are actually buried in our Old Burial Ground, and under what banner they fought.

Remember, regardless of whom you vote for, please get out and vote on May 11. It has never been easier: you can request a mail in ballot right HERE.

Over to you Sally!

 

 

Disagreement Brews in the Old Burial Ground

The occupants of the Old Burial Ground have seen their share of conflict and dissent, and it looks like a new round is about to open above them.

Over the last several weeks, the Southborough Historical Commission (which I head) has received a number of complaints about the flags flying in the old burial ground.

A little background: at some point in the 1990’s, a group of veterans decided it would be appropriate to commemorate those who had served the fledgling United States with a special memorial. Later in 2002, a large plaque was added marking the death of the three men who died during combat. And at some point after that (the timeline is very unclear) six revolutionary-era battle flags were placed in a semi-circle at the entrance to the Old Burial Ground.

And that’s pretty much how it stood until recently when a number of residents contacted the Commission objecting to the fact that one of the flags flying was the Gadsden Flag, which over the last decade has recently been co-opted by various White Supremacists groups (You can read more about that HERE, HERE,    HERE, and HERE. The trigger, I am guessing, was the very prominent and disgraceful role that the Gadsden flag played in the recent Capital Hill riots.

 

In response to these complaints the SHC decided to do a little investigating in preparation for a report to the Board of Selectmen, who have ultimate say in this matter.

The flags currently flying are these:

The Culpepper Minuteman flag from Virginia
The  Gadston Flag from SC; with another a similar variant
The Bunker Hill Flag (with the tree)
The Moultrie flag, again from SC
The Bedford Flag

 

Grand Union Flag - WikipediaOf these, only two have anything vaguely to do with the veterans buried there, and the most relevant flag, the Continental Colors flag hoisted by George Washington in Cambridge 1775 , is not flying at all.

The other issue, and to my eyes, equally relevant, is that these six small flags are impaling the unmarked gravesites below. When this monument was conceived in the 1990s, a ground-radar survey hadn’t yet been conducted by the Society, which proved conclusively that this area is full of active burials, whose headstones were shattered or lost during the 1938 hurricane.

>So at this point, it seemed a prudent move to reconsider the whole matter, and the Historical Commission voted 6-0 last week to send the following letter to the Board of Selectmen:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we have already alerted you, the Historical Commission has received complaints about the choice of flags flying the Old Burial Ground. Particularly egregious to many are the two variants of the Gadsden flag, which was designed by a slave owning South Carolinian and has become linked to white supremacist groups including the Ku Klux Klan. These associations are not new; many date back to the 1960s. You may also wish to read this recent article in the Miami Herald by Harvard Professor Noah Feldman noting that the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has called for “a careful investigation to see whether recent uses of the flag have been sufficiently “racially tinged” that it could count as harassment.”

Last night, the SHC voted 6-0 to urge the BOS to undertake an immediate review of these flags, with an aim to:
1) moving the current semi-circle of flags out of the actual burial area to preserve the integrity of those buried beneath the poles. The current poles are actually piercing the unmarked graves below.
2) removing flags of the South Carolina and Virginia regiments that carry such negative associations to people of color, and replacing them with flags that actually represent the veterans buried there. 
The Historical Commission has done considerable research as to which flags would be appropriate for the period and to the individual buried veterans involved, and would be happy to share that guidance with you if requested. 
Cordially, 
Michael Weishan, Chair
Southborough Historical Commission 

 

It seems this letter, combined with our earlier outreach directly to the veterans responsible for the care and upkeep of the site, sparked some “white hot rhetoric” (to quote BOS Chair Marty Healey) directed at the Board of Selectmen from people who feel that any changes to the flags are akin to desecration and disrespect. Personally, I don’t agree. If this were South Carolina and these flags were actually part of Southborough history, it would be a different story. But we aren’t in South Carolina and these aren’t our banners (and thankfully not our history), and given that these symbols have taken on a very ominous meaning for some of our residents, there his no historically justifiable reason to provoke residents who feel strongly on this matter. (And personally, I would like to see these flags moved to positions that don’t stab into the buried dead regardless.)

 

So what do you think? Feel free to comment below. (Note, unlike mysouthborough, we don’t allow anonymous postings, so you have to have the public courage of your convictions.)  Also, one of our high-school students has started, on her own initiative, a petition directed at the BOS to have the Gadsden flag removed. If you agree, you can sign it HERE.  At writing, it was half-way to its 100-person target.

Southborough (England) Past, Present and Future

Dear Friends,

I came across a charming 4-minute student video from a young man in Southborough, England documenting his home town. Since most of us would be hard pressed to point to Southborough on a map (full disclosure: I had to look it up myself) I thought I would save you the trouble. Here it is:

Southborough is the red dot in the map above, located in Kent, southeast of London. There are some interesting similarities to our Southborough too: about the same size, similar population, and both located on a main thoroughfare to the  capital.

Watching this charming short gave me an idea: when the COVID dust settles, why not have an annual contest for students to make a short film documenting some aspect  of their home town, past or present? Kids are pretty savvy with the camera these days. The winner would receive a nice prize, and our collections would grow each year with new documentary material.

The Southborough Film Festival is born!