[MassHistPres] Shaker Cemetery status

[Jonathan Feist]

Here¹s an update on the Shaker Cemetery situation.

As you might remember, the Harvard Cemetery Commission wishes to sandblast
and powdercoat the antique cast iron grave markers in the Harvard Shaker
Cemetery. The cemetery is within the boundaries of the Harvard Shaker
Village Historical District. I expressed concern that this process was not
well researched, and that it could cause undue damage to the markers. I also
felt that the Historical Commission should have been notified in advance of
any work being done. As ³tests,² the CC have so far processed two markers.

Town counsel has ruled that the Cemetery Commission has jurisdiction here
because the markers are not ³structures.² I¹m not convinced, but have
decided to let that go, for now.

The town administrator urged the Cemetery Commission to play nicely with us,
essentially just to be good neighbors.

I seem to have worn them out, and so they are willing to allow me the honor
of finding a conservator to write a spec in advance of further work to be
done, as well as figuring out how to fund such a study. They are not being
nice, yet (bizarre and insulting behavior seems their default), but at least
this particular process seems to be on a more productive track.

I have some leads on conservators, and will let you know if anything
interesting surfaces. Thanks so much for all the feedback.

Jonathan Feist
Chair, Harvard Historical Commission