[MassHistPres] Shaker Cemetery status

[Dennis De Witt]

Jonathan

I agree with Ralph.  It probably rarely comes up re grave markers  
because people normally don't do things to them but there must be  
lots of examples of similar simple "40c structures ' where commission  
authority has been asserted -- a mile stone, a pump, a horse trough,  
etc.  Grave makers are both "signs" (Here lies . . ") and monuments.   
Brookline's historic street name signs are subject to review in its  
LHDs.  There must be lots of simple monuments.  And there must be  
other cemeteries in LHDs.  It might be interesting to have examples  
of cemeteries and of other small simple "40c structures", comparable  
to grave markers, being actively reviewed in other LHDs.

Maybe people could submit examples.

Re the 4th para -- I would again suggest that one never knows where  
an e-mail might circle around in cyber-space and bite one in a  
vulnerable part of the anatomy.

Dennis De Witt



On Dec 2, 2007, at 12:07 PM, Jonathan Feist wrote:

> Here’s 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 “tests,” the CC have so far processed two  
> markers.
>
> Town counsel has ruled that the Cemetery Commission has  
> jurisdiction here
> because the markers are not “structures.” I’m 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
>
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