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"I am younger each year at the first snow. When I see it, suddenly, in the air, all little and white and moving; then I am in love again and very young and I believe everything."
- Anne Sexton |
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Over the past several years, archival students from Simmons college have processed hundred of boxes of paper documents here at the estate that go back to the days of John Davenport, who purchased this land in 1706. The papers of the Davenports and their descendants have been organized according to the families who occupied this land for almost 300 years. The archives, which now reside at the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS), are accessible to researchers and historians who from time to time come across some very interesting revelations about those that lived here over the centuries. The article below highlights one such story - that of John Maclean Hayward who served in the Civil War as an army surgeon. No doubt, there are many captivating stories waiting to be revealed as we continue to learn about this land and its occupants.
Mark Smith Executive Director |
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Holiday Open House - December 13, 4:00-7:00 pm Join us in the Isaac Davenport Mansion for holiday refreshments and good cheer as we look back over an exciting year at the estate. If you would like to join us, please rsvp at 617-333-0924 or by email. |
 Eagle Scout Project Creates New Boardwalk
On a recent Saturday, Eagle scout candidate Will Vinke directed a project to build a boardwalk at the low point of the estate property. In the spring, run-off makes it impossible to get to this area, where glacial deposits of roxbury puddingstone, native plants, and beautiful stone walls make it an important educational area. Over three dozen volunteers participated in the day-long effort that involved invasive removal, path clearing, along with construction, and installation of the 132' wooden structure. The installation project capped months of planning and fundraising by the Eagle candidate who lives nearby in Canton. |
Follow us on the MHS Blog
The Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust has five collections of family papers on deposit at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston. The collection contains nearly three centuries of correspondence, diaries, sketchbooks, deeds, and other personal papers of members of the Davenports, Haywards, Cunninghams, Binneys, and Polly Wakefield family. Periodically the archivist working on the collection writes a blog about her findings. Her most recent post focuses on Civil War surgeon John McLean Hayward (1837-1886), who was captured by the Confederate army. It's a fascinating read. To see the account, visit the blog website at http://www.masshist.org/blog/825.
The staff at the Wakefield estate is in the process of creating a blog to share the work of the many researchers who have studied a variety of aspects of the estate's history. It will be accessible through our website and Facebook pages. We will be launching it in the coming month.  |
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Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Staff:
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