Senator Tarr, Mayor Romeo Theken, Angela Sanfilippo, Feb 27, 2018 (Mayor Romeo Theken shared this photo)
Feb 28, 2018 – Senator Tarr’s voice came through my car radio on the way to work this morning on WGBH 89.7 “stories we’re following”. I’ll add a link to the audio if they add it to the website. The story concerned off shore drilling and the senate resolution. Here’s the opening (you can find the complete resolution here http://www.tarrtalk.com/). Mayor Theken shared photos, and Governor Baker’s letter of support (see below the “read more” break)
Concerned about the potential for oil and gas drilling off of the coast of Massachusetts? Here is the text of the Senate Resolution that I sponsored with Senator Mike Barrett. The Senate adopted it unanimously. MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO LIMIT THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM AND TO PROTECT THE WATERS OFF THE COASTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND NEW ENGLAND. Whereas, on January 4, 2018, the United States Department of the Interior announced the publication of a draft proposed program in support of its national outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program; and…”
In 1979, Attorney General Francis Bellotti and Sarah Bates and Douglas Foy of Conservation Law Foundation brought suit against the government’s plan to sell oil-lease tracts on Georges Bank.
JJ Clarke, Angela Sanfilippo, Douglas Foy- November 24, 1981In 2000, throwback photo of Tarr from the Gloucester archives at the dedication of the cenotaph
I know Dr. Powers is a history buff and that’s why it’s displayed. (I had a chuckle thinking about these are the first fillings at a dentist that I don’t mind learning about :))
(*no relation)
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What do you do when your home repair goes very wrong? Upon evaluation, sometimes you just have to hire a new contractor to remedy mistakes. In the fall of 2014 memorial honor roll plaques in City Hall received some cleaning. The monuments were due some attention. Over time the names were no longer legible and the surfaces were grimy defeating their noble purpose. Gloucester’s outstanding City Archives and the Cape Ann Office of Veterans Services were and are able to help with research for those who can’t come in person or see them clearly.
photo caption: BEFORE photograph of one of four WW1 honor rolls in the rotunda City Hall, ca.2014
The 2014 project was not handled by the city nor administered through its committee for the arts, of which I am a member. Funds were raised privately to work on the plaques. Though well intentioned, those restoration efforts were botched (and costly at the time, so I’m told.) The names were made more visible, but the plaques were damaged and results are scratched, streaked and blotchy.
A small annual budget (FY2018 $4000) that’s set aside for care of City arts and culture and monuments as part of its mission must now be redirected to fix the fix.Yes, “Sometimes you have to hire a new contractor to remedy mistakes,” frustrating, but necessary.
Throughout 2018, you may see specialists from Skylight Studios repairing plaques within City Hall through the Committee for the Arts on behalf of the City. (Gloucester residents may recall that Skylight Studios was hired by the Commonwealth to restore the bronze doors of the Abram Piat Andrew Bridge; the doors were temporarily displayed at Cape Ann Museum before being reinstalled.)
The detailed work on the City Hall plaques will be completed in brief, focused intervals. One plaque in the rotunda will be restored last, because it’s a great opportunity to show before and after examples of contemporary restoration projects- the good, the bad and the quality. As the plaques are repaired, the detail of the raised carving and borders and most importantly the names of so many veterans will become easier and easier to read and remember.
Gloucester Ma Veterans Honor Rolls and Monuments
*author note- this post is listing interior Honor Rolls within City Hall; it’s not a complete list for all tributes in Gloucester
GROUND FLOOR, CITY HALL
Spanish American War- “Men of Gloucester who served in the War with Spain volunteers all 1898-1902. Gloucester ‘s men, serving on land and sea won for their city the honor of giving to her country the largest per capita of men in this war. Erected by the City of Gloucester 1930.”
2014 wonky cleaning needs repair (Honor Roll to be repaired sometime 2018)
World War I Honor Rolls (rotunda and upstairs)
World Ward II Honor Roll (outside clerk’s office)
Korean Honor Roll (outside clerk’s office)
Vietnam Honor Roll (outside clerk’s office; Brian Hamilton 1980 painting of fisherman)
Vietnam War Honor Roll
Korean War Honor Roll
World War II Honor Roll center panel
Veterans Honor Rollsbefore poor cleaning work of 2014 Winter mural between
just outside Kyrouz Auditorium, FIRST FLOOR, CITY HALL
“Civil War (1861 1865)This tablet records the service of Company G 8th Regiment MVM in the Civil War; and War with Spain (1898 1899) occupation of Cuba; and World War 1917 1919″ Corrective repairs are underway on this trio Honor Roll. Waxy build up added in 2014 is being removed all over, and names in a small lower right corner have been attended.
lower right corner in process
2018 repair work underway
Poor cleaning ca.2014 requires remediation (which is underway as of 2018–all damage may not be able to be repaired)
The multi story memorial to Gloucester fishermen lost at sea was a major public art project led, designed and hand painted by Norma Cuneo, with Irma Wheeler and Ellen Ferrin in 1978, a beautiful shrine lighted by day by two tall windows. Mark Newton, then city clerk-historian, and Jerry Cook were lead researchers; the team eventually compiled a card index that could be accessed by the public along with checking this massive lost at sea mural. Research incorporated historic materials like The Fishermen’s Memorial and Record Book, by George H. Procter, published by Procter Bros. in 1873, printed matter, family archives, and newspapers. Volunteers and historians amend the sources and statistics over time. The sense of the power of a name and life is inspiring. The response and need to a tangible, accessible record was tremendous. Their work was the basis for the cenotaph installed in 2000 by the Fisherman at the Wheel memorial on Stacy Boulevard, a sacred place and pilgrimage site accessible day and night.
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You can find a historic panel about Roosevelt’s visit included as part of the HarborWalk Fisherman’s Wharf display. I’m posting this in tribute to Manny Carrancho. The photographs and history shared by Manny Carrancho (1923-2017), Ken Joyce and their family for the Fisherman’s Wharf exhibit make the FDR plaque incredible. The 2015 photograph above shows the beautiful Carrancho family at Fisherman Wharf by the historic plaque vastly improved by his photos, knowledge and stories.
Photo caption UL: 1933 En route to ME, President Roosevelt visits Gloucester Harbor. Ben Pine and others on board the yacht, Amberjack, present an Emile Gruppe painting of the racing schooner, Gertrude L Thebaud, to commemorate their advocacy sail to Washington DC just two months prior. Photo caption UR1942 Ben Pine’s vessel, Old Glory, at Fisherman’s Wharf. Some of the crew continued with Pine’s vessel the Puritan.Credit: Howard Liberman, September 1942, FSA/OWI photograph collection, Library of Congress. Photo caption LR: 1943 On a first voyage, young deckhand, Manuel “Manny” Carrancho, mends nets with twine man, first mate Mario Vagos on Ben Pine’s vessel, Old Glory. Captain Oscar Riberio and Manny became close friends; the Captain and his wife, Irene, were Best Man and Maid of Honor at the wedding of Manny and Joanna Carrancho, née Cecilio. Manny Carrancho helped identify the Howard Liberman photographs in the Library of Congress after a GMG post I wrote in March 2014!
you can click thumbnails to enlarge
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Archival documentation of a federal grant awarded to Gloucester and nationally recognized for its innovation at the time: reclaiming the City dump for an athletic field at the High School. Photographs of the project included a sweeping vista from atop Hovey Street.
Ten years earlier, the same vantage was favored by artist, Edward Hopper, for House on ‘Squam River, 1926. The Hopper drawing was gifted to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 1948.
Shared projects and working together are a focus for a new 2018 NEH grant opportunity.
Contact Mayor Romeo Theken’s arts & culture hotline sefatia4arts@gloucester-ma.gov by Febraury 28 to add to a list of potential projects for Gloucester for this NEH Deadline, March 15, or to consider as other funding opportunities arise.
Mayor Romeo Theken shares the 2018 press release from the Commonwealth:
Activities supported by National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant funds include:
capital expenditures such as the design, purchase, construction, restoration or renovation of facilities and historic landscapes;
the purchase of equipment and software;
the documentation of cultural heritage materials that are lost or imperiled:
the sustaining of digital scholarly infrastructure;
the preservation and conservation of collections; and
the sharing of collections.
“The grant below is a new grant from NEH and could be a great opportunity to enhance your local cultural or historical organizations. Please share it far and wide. And let us know if we can provide a letter of support for an application from your community.” Regards, Rick Jakious
“Good afternoon, The National Endowment for the Humanities has just announced a new grant program to support humanities infrastructures. Cultural institutions, such as libraries, museums, archives, colleges and universities, and historic sites, are eligible to apply for grants of up to $750,000.
These challenge grants, which require a match of nonfederal funds, may be used toward capital expenditures such as construction and renovation projects, purchase of equipment and software, sharing of humanities collections between institutions, documentation of lost or imperiled cultural heritage, sustaining digital scholarly infrastructure, and preservation and conservation of humanities collections.
Please consider sharing this exciting new funding opportunity with cultural institutions in your district.”
Thank you,Timothy H. Robison, Director of Congressional Affairs National Endowment for the Humanities. 400 7th Street, SW 4th Floor. Washington, D.C. 20506 (202) 606-8273
Innovative and worthy contemporary Gloucester possibilities abound: shared Archives (NSAA, Rocky Neck, Sargent House, City Archives, CAM, Legion, Libraries, Wards historical societies, etc.); digitize City Archives; Digitize Gloucester Daily Times archives; building and historic landscape projects that are city owned (City Archives, City Hall, Legion, Fitz Henry Lane, Fire Station, Stage Fort, beaches, etc) or in partnership; DPW work; and on and on.
Additional grant opportunities, news, and deadlines:
Legions of fans visit local, national and international museums to see icons of American 20th century art by Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer. Some of this art was inspired by Gloucester, MA. One more Hopper or Homer Gloucester scene in any collection would be welcome, but in Gloucester it would be transformative.
The City of Gloucester boasts a world class museum that would be the ideal repository for a major Hopper and Homer of Gloucester. It hasn’t happened, yet. It should! I feel not enough of a case has been made for having originals right here in the city that inspired some of their most famous works and changed their art for the better.
Edward Hopper Captain’s House (Parkhurst House), one of the few original Hopper works remaining in private hands, is slated as a promised gift to Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Crystal Bridges opened in 2011 and will have acquired 4 examples of Hopper’s art — 2 paintings, 1 drawing and 1 print–with this gift.
I think Arkansas would have been ok with three.
The only known Winslow Homer seascape painting still in private hands is a great one inspired by Gloucester. Bill and Melinda Gates own Lost on the Grand Banks, 1885. I saw it at the auction house back in 1998 just before the sale. What a fit for Gloucester and Homer if it found its way back here!
Edward Hopper’s Gloucester Street also went to the west coast, purchased by Robert Daly. I’d love to see this one in person! The corner hasn’t changed much since 1928 when Hopper painted the street scene.
Hopper’s downtown Gloucester scene, Railroad Gates, is not on public display.
I’m surprised and hopeful that there are paintings of Gloucester by Hopper that could be secured. There are tens of drawings including major works on paper. I saw this Gloucester drawing, Circus Wagon, by Edward Hopper at the ADAA art Fair back in March 2016.
Davis House (25 Middle Street) was sold at auction in 1996.
I’m keeping tabs on most of them. The only way they’re going into any museum is through largesse. Why not Gloucester?
Homer and Hopper watercolors in private collections can’t be on permanent view due to the medium’s fragility. (Exciting developments in glazing and displays are being developed that go beyond the protective lift.) The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, MA, cares for works of art as well as any institution.
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At the dawn of talkies, ERPI (Electrical Research Products Inc) sought to “bring the world to the classrooms” via 16mm A/V equipment and a catalog of films. ERPI was a subsidiary of AT&T and a forerunner of Encyclopedia Britannica Films.
They produced GLOUCESTER FISHERMEN (under 9 min) in 1938 with backing from Clark University. The film’s narrator was James Brill. There was also a 1938 film titled Shell-Fishing.
from the A/V Geeks archive youtube channel
Here’s James Brill narrating and before the camera in the 1946 film: FROM DEMOCRACY TO DESPOTISM, 1946, Encyclopedia Britannica Films.
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Our Lady of Good Voyage Madonna cedar-wood statue was created by two artists from Porto, Portugal, and was commissioned by Portuguese-American fishermen of Gloucester for the Our Lady of Good Voyage church. Silva Franca made the Madonna and Ourivesaria Alianca made the crown and vessel. It was brilliantly welcomed to Gloucester in 1948.
Here’s the timeline thanks to Sawyer Free and Gloucester Daily Times
On Sunday May 23, 1948
350 Portuguese-American fishing skippers and fishermen, their wives and children and friends took part in the third crowning and readied for the upcoming fourth annual blessing of the fleet. “A most colorful procession in the annual coronation ceremonies of the DES club in the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage when Rev. Stephen E. DeMoura, the pastor, honored 22 with the impressive mass of coronation including the imperator, Capt. John Lopes of Sadler Street.”
Thursday May 27, 1948
Cutting it close: the Gloucester Daily Times reported that the Portuguese ship Gil Eannes was expected at Fish Pier but didn’t arrive. The 279 foot, 1048 net tons, fishing fleet hospital vessel, str. Gil-Eannes, “bound here from Lisbon, Portugal, with the estimated 600 pound cedar-wood life size statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage was due in port by 9 o’clock this morning, but up to noon today had not been sighted off Eastern Point Light.”
It was here, just not at the pier. Take note: there’s a Ten Pound Island detail–Pancake Ground, and homeland security.
“It was believed that she was fog bound off the coast and was jogging awaiting clearing before chancing the remaining voyage into port. She will anchor on the Pancake Ground near Ten Pound Island until tomorrow afternoon when she is due to dock at the State Fish pier.” She was escorted off Whistling Buoy by the redfish dragger Carol Ann, Capt. Francis, and brought to anchor on the Pancake Ground for a “three hour inspection to clear her for official entry.” Harbormaster Captain Fred Wise used his own craft. Mayor Friend gave a short speech. Seventy one officers, crew, and ‘relief fishermen’ were on board the Gil Eannes as it made the 11 day crossing.
What an arrival: the fog was so thick no one ashore could catch any glimpse of her! The Princess of Portugal, her Royal Highness Antonia de Braganza, was expected to arrive for the festivities and was booked at the Tavern, as were the ambassadors. Thousands came to town including bus groups from New Bedford, New Jersey, and other states. There were 26 Gloucester fishing boats and the USS Perry destroyer for the blessing of the fleet.
Memorial Day Weekend – Friday May 28, 1948-Sunday May 30, 1948
A thrilling 3-day observance festival began with Bishop John Wright leading a mass and procession Friday morning to the pier, and closed on Sunday with Archbishop Richard Cushing. Reverend DeMoura had a zealous committee. Twelve brawny crew from the Gil Eannes (matching shirts) six at a time alternated carrying the statue to the church. Crowds lined the streets and these guests were stunned at the sheer size of such a welcome. Three thousand people watched the procession and it’s estimated 10,000 were there for the Sunday climax.
Gil Eannes crew, honor guard for the statue
Over the 3 days, there were special programs along with Memorial Day ceremonies: a carillon concert from the towers Friday night, a plaza-like square was decorated with colored electric lights in front of the church, banquets (at the Tavern), band concerts, and folk dancing*. Later in the weekend, two men each from 25 different Gloucester draggers were chosen for the honor of bearing the statue on their shoulders to and fro the pier.Poor weather postponed the final day ceremonies. Ambassador Pereiro left with the Gil Eannes to travel to the Grand Banks and visit with the estimated 3000 fellow countrymen, fishing there in some 60 salt cod Portuguese boats at the time.
“Of course, while aboard ship (in Gloucester), a bevy of news photographers and movie newsreel gentry took a raft of film of the statue, of the two bishops and monsignor and priests meeting one another…”
I would like to see a newsreel. Newspapers carried it across the country thanks to the Associated Press pictures. By 1953 National Geographic was in town for a feature story in color. (You can read that article)
A couple of years ago, because of research I was doing about Gordon Parks in Gloucester and thankfully Joey posted on Good Morning Gloucester, I was able to interview Manny and Joanna Carrancho. Manny and his family spent considerable time giving me a detailed account of earlier events in their lives. They shared treasured historic photos and first hand knowledge and were a delight. Part 2 photographs continue with a town procession from the state pier to the church.
In honor of the annual Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit which begins tonight, today’s Gloucester Motif Monday is a legacy one.
Good Morning Gloucester is an indisputable platform for outreach and community. A couple of years ago, because of research I was doing about Gordon Parks in Gloucester and thankfully Joey posted on Good Morning Gloucester, I was able to interview Manny Carrancho. Manny and his family spent considerable time giving me a detailed account of earlier events in their lives. They shared treasured historic photos and first hand knowledge and were a delight.
Joanna (Cecilio) and Manuel Carrancho
This week I’ll feature photographs from a souvenir picture album in Manny’s collection as they feature Our Lady of Good Voyage and one of the Madonna statues. The photographs are from a booklet: Coronation Our Lady Of Good Voyage, produced with cooperation of the Portuguese Daily News and photography by Hollywood Studio, New Bedford, MA. You will see the Our Lady statue on the vessel Gil Eannes with Bishop Don Manuel Salguiero. Its special arrival is met by a town procession led by Arch Bishop Wright and dignitaries at the State Pier. Twelve fishermen were selected to greet them. Let us know if you recognize family in the photographs. Were you there?
news edit: Brenda Mason Budrow writes that the little girl in one photo is Mary Jean (Ribeiro) Mason, her mom. Thanks, Brenda!
Brenda Mason Budrow writes that the little girl in this photo is Mary Jean (Ribeiro) Mason, her mom
Tonight: the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit begins May 9th 2016 in Our Lady’s Church.
More photos to come.
Part 2 photos of the greeting on the vessel and carrying the 600lb statue
Just Beautiful, and what a beautiful community turnout for today’s unveiling of the Neighborhood Quilt Project’s 13th panel, the “Downtown Quilt.” Congratulations to the amazing Juni Van Dyke and her talented troupe of Gloucester senior quilting artists. It was especially appropriate that the unveiling was conducted by our Mayor Romeo Thekan as growing up on Middle Street, her childhood neighborhood centered around many of the buildings depicted in the quilt. Our deepest thanks of appreciation to Juni and the artists for splendidly illustrating Gloucester’s history, with merely scraps.
Scraps of Beauty
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Before photo and information Submitted by Fred Bodin:
51 Main Street (Cafe Bishco is there now).
West End of Main Street buildings, including the Cape Ann Savings Bank and the YMCA.
The second floor of the bank building became Gloucester’s first YMCA in 1858, one of the oldest Y’s in the U.S. The first YMCA was established in Boston in the Old South Church.
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The Fish on Fridays series is a collaboration between Gloucester photographers Kathy Chapman and Marty Luster. Look for various aspects of Gloucester’s centuries-old fishing industry highlighted here on Fridays.
This week we visit with Al Bezanson who recalls his days working at Gorton’s Seafoods in Gloucester. As an engineer he worked on ways to improve their products, specifically the fish cakes. Al moors his schooner Green Dragon in Smith Cove and is enjoying his summer stay at Rocky Neck’s Accommodations, where we shot this video.
(Sorry about the poor sound quality in parts of this video. Still scaling the learning curve.)
Shared projects and working together are a focus for a new 2018 NEH grant opportunity.
Published by Rick G. on YouTube in 2014
Good Morning Gloucester 