I was just reading an article in The NY Times about these canes and wondered about updates for Andover’s cane. The pandemic interrupted so many things. Has the cane certificate been awarded recently? I do think the cane itself should stay in Town Hall or perhaps the library which is more visited. Virginia Begg
Very interesting article that had a special meaning for me. Charles Rea was my great great uncle. My brother, David Dearborn, reminded me of this and sent me a much more flattering picture than the one used by The Andover Townsman. I never knew him as he died several years before I was born.
Thank you for sharing this, Debbie! Would you be interested in giving the history center a scan of the photograph of your great great uncle? The Townsman photo doesn't do him justice.
A detailed detective story. Yes, I was aware of the Boston Post cane tradition - but I thought it had faded away. Carrying it forward is a way to honor the eldest among us, and their times.
Good question! The canes come up time to time in local newspapers. There's a website, https://bostonpostcane.org/, that reports on the canes every few years. As it turns out, quite a number of the canes are still in use.
As an utter outsider, may I just say that I'm glad they added a tiara and a little celebration, because otherwise, how to put this, I can imagine it feeling a bit like a Twilight Zone episode when you were handed it at your front door.... 😂 Keep being you, Andover (and other cities where this is a thing)!
I was just reading an article in The NY Times about these canes and wondered about updates for Andover’s cane. The pandemic interrupted so many things. Has the cane certificate been awarded recently? I do think the cane itself should stay in Town Hall or perhaps the library which is more visited. Virginia Begg
Thanks for asking, Virginia! I haven't heard anything about a presentation since the one back in 2018. I'll ask and see what I can turn up.
Wonderful, fascinating post, Elaine. One of the very best I've read yet!!!
Tom
Awwww, thanks, Tom!
Very interesting article that had a special meaning for me. Charles Rea was my great great uncle. My brother, David Dearborn, reminded me of this and sent me a much more flattering picture than the one used by The Andover Townsman. I never knew him as he died several years before I was born.
Thank you for sharing this, Debbie! Would you be interested in giving the history center a scan of the photograph of your great great uncle? The Townsman photo doesn't do him justice.
This is an interesting story. I am happy that the Boston post cane inspired other Andover traditions
A detailed detective story. Yes, I was aware of the Boston Post cane tradition - but I thought it had faded away. Carrying it forward is a way to honor the eldest among us, and their times.
Hello Elaine,
I also wonder how many towns in Massachusetts still honor the original purpose of the canes. Cord
Good question! The canes come up time to time in local newspapers. There's a website, https://bostonpostcane.org/, that reports on the canes every few years. As it turns out, quite a number of the canes are still in use.
As an utter outsider, may I just say that I'm glad they added a tiara and a little celebration, because otherwise, how to put this, I can imagine it feeling a bit like a Twilight Zone episode when you were handed it at your front door.... 😂 Keep being you, Andover (and other cities where this is a thing)!
Thanks, Annette! I'd love to hear from other towns that still have their Boston Post canes.
I wish you all best luck! 😍