I am writing this letter to the people of Harvard as the president of the Boston Area Shaker Study Group. The BASSG was organized in 1982 for the dual purposes of studying the Shakers of the past and honoring the Shakers of the present. Our present concern is the historic Shaker cemetery in Harvard and the continuing deterioration of its century-old grave markers.
The cast-iron grave markers in this cemetery are believed to be unique due to their “lollipop” shape. Most other Shaker cemeteries are now marked with a single stone monument. At one time there were more than 300 Shakers interred in the Harvard cemetery, with each grave located by its cast-iron marker. In the mid-1980s our group was allowed to map all the gravesites and to clean up the cemetery. Since that time, dozens of markers have gone missing; the remaining ones are deteriorating. This is all of great concern to us.
We are aware of a proposal to sandblast and paint these remaining markers with a white “powder paint.” There are some in Harvard who believe that this is the most efficient and cost-effective means for remedying the situation. While the BASSG is not taking a stand against this proposal, we urge town leaders to give this plan more careful consideration. For one thing, this approach will clearly not represent the original intent of the Shakers, and it is our belief that even though their community in Harvard closed nearly a century ago, their wishes and their legacy must be taken seriously.
While everyone agrees that something must be done to prevent further loss of these markers and the information they contain, it seems to us that a logical first step would be to bring in a person who has expertise in treating and stabilizing cast iron. While the ultimate decision may well rest with the people of Harvard, this decision should be based on expert analysis and not simple expediency. We would also like to open and maintain a dialogue with the people of Harvard about this. I can be contacted by e-mail at stevesomebody@aol.com.
M. Stephen Miller
West Hartford, Conn
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