Tag: Arthur Jones

Veterans Day Ceremony 2023 program. Plus JROTC History by Dr. Erik Anderson, and an update on Gloucester’s Civil War Era Coat #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

PHOTO BLOCK: program; Emcee Vionette “Vee” Chipperini, Dir. Cape Ann Veterans Services; Cata trolley; lining up for the parade to the Joan of Arc monument and Captain Lester S. Wass Post 3 American Legion following the beautiful Veterans Day Ceremony 2023 at Gloucester High School

PHOTO BLOCK: Gloucester’s Civil War Era Coat

As a result of the pandemic and lobby enhancements at GHS, Gloucester Civil War era coat was covered and stashed in the hallway. The temporary sign with an introduction to the display will soon be replaced by four permanent labels designed for this case. The BEFORE photographs were taken in 2015 by Kim Mimnaugh who after noticing disrepair and mold, sought care of the coat & case, and its forgotten history. A community restoration fundraising effort expanded in order to display the coat in full view. Valerie Marino shared news about possible funding through the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (MA SHRAB) which was applied for and awarded in 2018 and 2019.

“I’m proud of our city volunteers, students and residents who came together to help raise awareness of this American artifact that has history to our country and to our local community,” said Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “With this SHRAB grant, as well as Awesome Gloucester and online fundraising monies, the education and heritage will live on for years to come.”…The SHRAB program is an extension of grants awarded by the Massachusetts Sesquicentennial Commission of the American Civil War with supporting services from the Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin and Massachusetts Archives Department, which features a rigorous and competitive qualifying process. The program reviewed hundreds of applications across the Commonwealth, but the ten-page application overview designed by two young activists, …was “enthusiastically” selected by Commonwealth Archivist Dr. John Warner and his committee.”

Gloucester’s Civil War-Era Coat

This exhibit tells the story about a noble coat and its cultural significance to Gloucester and American history.

  • Title: Gloucester’s Civil War-era Coat
  • Designer: Unknown
  • Date: American 19th century, about 1860
  • Owner: ______ (wearer once known)
  • Media: ¾ length coat: linsey-woolsey (linen and wool mix), buttons, repairs & patches
  • Dimensions: about 27” x 12” x 49” on the stand
  • Credit line: City of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Gift of Roger W. Babson (1875-1967) 1934 and dedicated May 30-31, 1935, GHS; Bequeathed to Babson by Albert W. Bacheler (1842-1929); Gift of wearer(s) once known, enslaved person(s), to Bacheler, December 1864.

Introduction label. Four permanent panels coming soon. Albert Bacheler (1842 Balasore, India -1929 Melrose, MA) was a Gloucester resident, GHS Principal, and community leader for 30 years beginning in 1884 until he retired in 1914. Under Bacheler, GHS acquired accreditation status to provide equal and higher educational opportunities for boys and girls, as well as athletic and extracurricular activities. He used the coat to inspire generations of students. Bacheler graduated from Dartmouth in 1871 where he also played baseball. Bacheler was a Civil War Veteran, New Hampshire 12th Regiment, Company E and POW.  He enlisted August 12, 1862 and fought in every battle albeit Cold Harbor including Gettysburg. He was captured and imprisoned in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia. He escaped and received help from enslaved families–including this textile–as he traveled north. The coat afforded Bacheler warmth and camouflage to escape recapture as he made his way. Bacheler eventually reached safety, meeting up with the Eight United States Colored Cavalry. What happened to the people who helped him and the wearer of this coat is unknown. This exhibit honors their agency and Bacheler’s, educators, education, veterans, service and community.

Bacheler established the forerunner of what became the JROTC. I’m republishing this great read by educator Dr. Erik Anderson, a former GHS Principal himself.

JROTC FASCINATING HISTORY AT GHS

read excerpts from The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Gloucester High School: An Interdisciplinary Study of Community Leadership Development Amidst Societal Change by Dr. Erik M. Anderson, ©2015

A lengthy list of former GHS students and JROTC members, mentors, veterans, notables, businesses and organizations mentioned is incredible! Among them are: Leo Alper, Roger W. Babson, Albert Bacheler, Sargeant Barbosa, Melvin Bernstein, Kellogg G. Birdseye, Harry F. Bray, John Buckley, R. Wesley Burnham, Frank T. Chance, Roger Conant, Stephen Dexter, George Dolliver, Donald H. Emero, Saul Feldman, Charles Foster, Major Galbraith, Peter Garrisi, Jane Garrisi, Anthony Gentile, Ron Gilson, William Goodwin, Debbie Goodwin, David Greer, John F. Grillo Sr., Henry Hurwitz, Leslie O. Johnson, Arthur Jones, Benedict Karr, Mark Kennefick, Hilton Kramer, Phil Kramer, Clovis LaFond, Col. McBride, Captain McNerney, Thomas Morris, Morris Pett, David Pistenmaa, William Poirier, Herb Pomeroy, Kendrick Rattray, Henry Rosen, Levi Rudolph, Bob Ryan, Frank C. Shepherd, J. Raymond Silva, Richard R. Silva, Warren Silva, Benjamin A. Smith III, Robert Smith, Roy Spittle, William B. Squillace, Bob Stevenson, Oliver H. Story, Sgt. Tucker, Dick Wilson; and West Point and so many colleges and universities; extensive bibliography, newspapers, city archives and Sarah Dunlap.

**PLEASE NOTE THE EXCERPTS ARE INCOMPLETE & MAY NOT INCLUDE NAMES LISTED ABOVE. I WILL ADD THE FULL PDF LATER.**

Dr. Erik Anderson 2015 – excerpts from paper about JROTC at GHS its history of Community Leadership incl interviews with Gloucester veterans and notablesDownload

“…as far as I’m concerned, it belongs to Gloucester and there is much, much more that could be researched and written.”

Dr. Erik Anderson. Anderson is an educator and former principal at Gloucester High School, Gloucester, MA, and White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield, NH.

50 years ago today…the art of the first moon landing and Gloucester Daily Times front page

Posted on by Catherine

Today is the anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. When I think about this momentous day, I mostly remember the artist Robert Rauschenberg, one of the established artists paid a tiny honorarium to travel to see space launches first hand. NASA gave artists total freedom to create any visual response if so awed. They were. Decades later, Rauschenberg agreed to loan rare works of art inspired by the space program for a solo exhibit that I co-curated. It was a big surprise when he scheduled a visit. He spent a morning at the show with me, closely observing each and every piece, some he hadn’t seen since he made them.  Many were created long after his residency. He was flooded; it’s very emotional.

Where were you on this day? I was in Plymouth, MA.

As i’m in a wishing and reflective mode, may I add that I look forward to the day when all Massachusetts newspapers are scanned and searchable. In the meantime, the Gloucester Daily Times coverage of that inspiring moon walk is on microfilm at the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library. Enjoy the headlines and some local quotes from 1969.

“Older folks take moon in stride–They’ve seen a lot, but this one…” by Henry Meyer, Gloucester Daily Times

article excerpts including quotes from Arthur Jones, Mrs. Bertha Silva, and John Bordreau (91)

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This moon shot business: Can you dig it?  Arthur W. Jones, 67, who lives at the Huntress Public Medical Institution can. Jones and some of his fellow residents on Emerson Avenue have seen the entire panorama of the development of aircraft… “This is one of the greatest things that has happened to our country.” The moon shot had helped to “unite people together,” he said…“When this country gets together, they do things right. No matter what they start, they finish it.”

Mrs. Bertha Silva said that Lindbergh’s flight was exciting back then. However she agreed with Jones that the landing of the first man on the moon really outdid all other flying feats…

John Bordreau, 91, also a resident of the institution was delighted by the whole affair. Boudreau predicted that astronauts soon will be flying all over the solar system…”We’ll just have to wait and see where they’re headed.” Both Jones and Boudreau said they had heard there was oil and gas on the moon. Boudreau remarked, “That’s kind of a long drive for just a couple of gallons of gas. Jones predicted that within 10 years men will be living on the moon. Some scientists said over the radio that there were eaves on the moon where people might live. He said there was oil up there and that they might be able to extract water from rocks.”…One person said that at her age she tended to be leery of these things…Others expressed confusion at the speed at which this generation seems to be moving…

excerpts from Our men on the moon: ‘A long day’…a hazardous return, by Edward K. Delong, Space Center, Houston, UPI article ran in the Gloucester Daily Times.

Mrs. Stephen Armstrong, Neil’s mother who watched her son on television from her home in Wapakoneta, Ohio, noticed this: “I could tell he was pleased and tickled and thrilled,” she said.

“Magnificent desolation,” commented Aldrin. “It has a stark beauty all of its own. It’s much like the desert of the United States.”

“It’s different, but it’s very pretty out here,” said Armstrong, who lived in California’s Mojave Desert when he was flying the X15 rocket plane. Armstrong and Aldrin, both about 5’11” cast 35 foot shadows…Zint said he was surprised by the emotion in Armstrong’s voice when he stepped onto the moon. “That was more emotion than I’ve ever heard him express before. Even when he talked about things he was excited about like space travel he always had a calm voice.”

20160720_111635

 

47 years ago today…the art of the first moon landing and Gloucester’s front page

Posted on by Catherine

Today is the anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. When I think about this momentous day, I mostly remember the artist Robert Rauschenberg, one of the established artists paid a tiny honorarium to travel to see space launches first hand. NASA gave artists total freedom to create any visual response if so awed. They were. Decades later, Rauschenberg agreed to loan rare works of art inspired by the space program for a solo exhibit that I co-curated. It was a big surprise when he scheduled a visit. He spent a morning at the show with me, closely observing each and every piece, some he hadn’t seen since he made them.  Many were created long after his residency. He was flooded; it’s very emotional.

Artist studio spaces and artist residencies are in my thoughts. As a reminder: there are two possible small and FREE temporary spaces within the inspiring Fitz Henry* Lane house that Mayor Romeo Theken has requested for Gloucester artists. Schooner Adventure and Sail GHS are generously sharing space within their headquarters in this historic City building if there’s a match. There are specific limitations and constraints. If interested in signing up for a month block of time, or to learn more please email sefatia4arts@gloucester-ma.gov and leave complete contact information. *Fitz Henry Lane was formerly known as Fitz Hugh Lane. Henry is a longer name than Hugh which may help with remembering which name to use. (It took a long time to determine that Henry is the name.)  Sail GHS has extended an offer to artists to come sail and sketch with them, plein air plein sail.

While I’m in a wishing and reflective mode, may I add that I look forward to the day when all Massachusetts newspapers are scanned and searchable. In the meantime, the Gloucester Daily Times coverage of that inspiring moon walk is on microfilm at the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library. Enjoy the headlines and some local quotes from 1969.

“Older folks take moon in stride–They’ve seen a lot, but this one…” by Henry Meyer, Gloucester Daily Times

article excerpts including quotes from Arthur Jones, Mrs. Bertha Silva, and John Bordreau (91)

20160720_112012

 

20160720_112302

This moon shot business: Can you dig it?  Arthur W. Jones, 67, who lives at the Huntress Public Medical Institution can. Jones and some of his fellow residents on Emerson Avenue have seen the entire panorama of the development of aircraft… “This is one of the greatest things that has happened to our country.” The moon shot had helped to “unite people together,” he said…“When this country gets together, they do things right. No matter what they start, they finish it.”

Mrs. Bertha Silva said that Lindbergh’s flight was exciting back then. However she agreed with Jones that the landing of the first man on the moon really outdid all other flying feats…

John Bordreau, 91, also a resident of the institution was delighted by the whole affair. Boudreau predicted that astronauts soon will be flying all over the solar system…”We’ll just have to wait and see where they’re headed.” Both Jones and Boudreau said they had heard there was oil and gas on the moon. Boudreau remarked, “That’s kind of a long drive for just a couple of gallons of gas. Jones predicted that within 10 years men will be living on the moon. Some scientists said over the radio that there were eaves on the moon where people might live. He said there was oil up there and that they might be able to extract water from rocks.”…One person said that at her age she tended to be leery of these things…Others expressed confusion at the speed at which this generation seems to be moving…

excerpts from Our men on the moon: ‘A long day’…a hazardous return, by Edward K. Delong, Space Center, Houston, UPI article ran in the Gloucester Daily Times.

Mrs. Stephen Armstrong, Neil’s mother who watched her son on television from her home in Wapakoneta, Ohio, noticed this: “I could tell he was pleased and tickled and thrilled,” she said.

“Magnificent desolation,” commented Aldrin. “It has a stark beauty all of its own. It’s much like the desert of the United States.”

“It’s different, but it’s very pretty out here,” said Armstrong, who lived in California’s Mojave Desert when he was flying the X15 rocket plane. Armstrong and Aldrin, both about 5’11” cast 35 foot shadows…Zint said he was surprised by the emotion in Armstrong’s voice when he stepped onto the moon. “That was more emotion than I’ve ever heard him express before. Even when he talked about things he was excited about like space travel he always had a calm voice.”

20160720_111635