February.  First there’s chocolate, and flowers, even diamonds, and Presidents…but then there’s something that lasts longer than any of these, often proving itself richer: engagement with the humanities and culture.  In a month about love, the Trust is unabashed in its affection for things that make us think, question, discover.  Treat yourself to any of these opportunities……….chocolate optional.

Local Author to Include Story of Unsung Resident

Joseph Warren was a hero of the early Revolutionary period – the author of the Suffolk Resolves, the person who sent Paul Revere on that famous ride, and the hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill. At the time of his demise, he was a widower and father of four, the youngest of whom was just 3 years old. He was betrothed to Miss Mercy Scollay, an unsung Daughter of Liberty. Learn about this tragic romance, Miss Mercy’s patriotic poetry, her interactions with leading Patriots and long life as an unofficial widow.

Samuel Forman, author of the newly published Dr. Joseph Warren: The Boston Tea Party, Bunker Hill, and the Birth of American Liberty, will share new discoveries about Miss Scollay, a most distinguished and unrecognized Medfield resident.

Learn more about this endearing couple at a March 5th program sponsored by the Medfield Historical Society.

What Makes Vine Lake Cemetery Special

Photo Galleries Provide New Perspectives

Vine Lake Cemetery is first and foremost a cemetery.

In addition, it is a National Historic Landmark, an outdoor museum, a peaceful and dignified open space, a repository of family history.

Using photo galleries in the Trust’s website, you can view the cemetery through a variety of perspectives.

History

Nature

Nesting With the Resting

A Sure Sign of Spring Albeit in Winter

Seen soaring above the Old Section on Friday morning, February 10th, was a Turkey Vulture.

So named for their featherless head, resembling a Wild Turkey, and their habit of sitting on the ground to eat, Turkey Vultures are migratory in nature but winter as far north as Connecticut.

They appear in Massachusetts in February and slowly make their way north for a summer spent wavering over farm fields and eating carrion or dead meat.  These birds have an acute sense of smell, reportedly being able to locate carcasses several miles away.

The Turkey Vulture’s return to our area is a sure sign that our days are getting warmer.  Watch the skies for these large birds; it is a better sign of spring than the iconic robin, a species now found year round in our backyards.

…concrete is the worst product for preserving memorials?

For years  volunteers thought that concrete, a strong and lasting product, was the best solution for repairing marble memorials that were loose in their bases.  By adding a concrete collar above the base, the workers believed that a permanent solution was achieved.  Instead, this well-intended approach became a shortcut to disaster.

Concrete has two characteristics which make it unacceptable for cemetery preservation.  First, it is much harder than the marble it surrounds, not allowing any movement when the marble expands due to temperature. When the concrete acts as a vice grip around the memorial, the marble eventually cracks and then breaks and falls.

The second negative feature of concrete is that it attracts moisture. Water is constantly wicked to the marble which weakens its stability. Warm weather produces biological growth and cold weather produces ice, neither of which is desirable.

A solution might be to remove the concrete today to allow for industry-standard repairs; however, trying to chip away the harder concrete damages the softer marble because of the bond that was established. Any attempt will likely shatter the marble, and then a real mess has developed.

Today, in place of concrete, lime mortar is used to secure loose memorials in their bases.  This compound is softer than concrete and repels water.  The memorial is removed from its base, the socket is cleaned, a discrete bed of lime mortar is laid in the socket, and the memorial is reinserted with a small amount of mortar cushioning the memorial from its base.

You can easily see marble memorials in the Old Section which exhibit the incorrect use of concrete.  Our only solution is to recognize what was done before and to use today’s best practices for future preservation.

March 1, Thursday, 7 to 9pm 

March 5, Monday, 7:30 to 9pm

Vine Lake Preservation Trust

Website: www.vinelakepreservationtrust.org

Museums:  Museums.USA