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Vol.2 No.2

Dyer Disco'wrseSummer 2OO2

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Thanks to the efforts of the Abington Historical Commission, Island Grove was recentlydesignated a National Historic Landmark. For over 200 years, "the Grove" has been a site forpatriotic and social events, but its history predates that.

In the early days of Abington s settlement, the Schumatuscacant River wound its way throughmeadowland. Around 1700,Jacob Nash and his son-in-law, |oseph Poole, erected a dam across

continued on pg.2

The Dyer Discourse is c publicoiion of ihe Dyer Memoriol Librory. All rights reserved. @ 2002

Fromttl,wDLrertor

Sp.i.g cleaning kept us busy for the pastfew months as we prepare to repair thewater damage onthe second floor caused bylast summer's roof leak. Librarian PamWhiting, with help from Trustee ClareSullivan, has done a remarkable job ofpacking and storing everything.

I'm pleased to announce thatJack Buckleyhas joined the Dyer's Board of Trustees. I'mlooking forward to working withJack in hisnew role-

Have a good and sa{e summer, everyone!

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I*lfr"nd/ qroya ftontinued from pg. 1)

the river near what is now Centre Avenue toprovide power for a sawrnill. The damcreated a tear-drop shaped pond knownas Nash's Mill Pond. The height of thedam was increased in 1836, and the pondtook on a new shape. An arm of waterappeared to the east separated from themain body of the pond by the pine-coveredgrove. When viewed from the milldam(now Centre Avenue), the point of the pinegrove appeared to be an island, hence thename "Island Grove Park" - although inrealrty it is a peniruula and not an island.

The pine grove itself was originallyowned by Stephen French, who sold it toLuke Nash 1r'1797. In 1803, Jacob Reedbought the pine grove land. During thestewardship of the Reed family, IslandGrove Park saw development not only as

a patriotic meeting place, but also a socialmeeting place. By the early 1900s, it wasrecognized as a leading recreation area of itskind- Activities at Island Grove includedswimmin& boating, fishing, and lawnbowlinginthe surruner, as well as iceskating and ice boating in the winter.

By the mid-1800s,Island Grove had becomea leading site for anti-slavery rallies. Eventsheld there were regularly written up in theLiberator, the abolitionist newspaper. Manyrally participants traveled to Island Grove

on special trains running along the OldColony to hear William Uoyd GarrisorlWendell Phillips, George Thompson, LucyStone, and others speak on anti-slaveryissues.

About 1200 Abingtonians fought in the CivilWar; in a town with a population of 8500 in1860, this accounted for maybe half of all theable-bodied men. These anti-slaveryactivities undoubtedly contributed to thesense of righteousness that led to the highenlistment rate by Abington men.

A monument erected in 1909 by Capt.Moses N. Arnold conunemorates theabolitionist effort. It marks the spot wherethe speakers' pla$orm stood under the pinetrees for the abolition meetings in IslandGrove Park. Capt. Arnold, a local shoemanufacturer, had fought with the 12thMassachusetts Volunteers, in Company G.

In7972, for its the 200th amiversary, thetown dedicated the Memorial Bridge andArch to commemorate Abington's Civil Warsoldiers and sailors. The stone archway istopped by abtonze eagle and flanked bybas-reliefs of a soldier and a sailor by Bostonsculptor Bela L. Pratt. Architect f. WilliamsBeal, who also designed the Dyer building,designed the bridge and archway. Thememorial speaks volumes for the way thiscommunity felt about those who left hometo fight for the Union.

Island Grove's new National HistoricLandmark status is well deserved for notonly is the Grove rich in history, but itcontinues to play a central role in thecommunity.

More informatian on Islond Grove canbe foundin the Dyer's colbctions. And don't rniss the

exhibition currently on displny in the Sam DyerRoom!

Dyer Memorial Library28 Centre Ave. . P.O.Box2245

Abington, MA02351(7B1) 878-8480

vze2tqrr@verizon.net

2OOr SueeonTERS

ThAnl<tYOW to our 2001 benefactors, without whom we cannot

continue to provide the level of service to our community that we do:

|ames & Barbara Aikenst

Lois H. Averellt

George & Caro$n Binghaml

Rev. Thomas W. Buckley"

Robert & Mary Butlert

Dan & Barbra Carrolll

Robert & Deborah Cobbetfi

Elinor & Harold Coughlin

Miriam A. Crowlef

Arrne V. Danielt

DAR Deborah Sampson Chaptert

Barbara Dillont

Mr. & Mrs. EdwardJ.Franey*t

David A. Hillst

Historical Sociefy of Old Abington"

Susan C. Holdenl

Robert & Virginia |eppsont

|ohn M. Kelly

Arrre Marie Maloneyl

Lea Mannion"

Richard & Patricia McKennat

William & Naomi Mereditht

Freeman & Carole Osgoodl

Route 18 Auto Body,Inc.f

Wayne & Priscilla Smitht

Virginia & Robert Staples

Stetson Kindred of Americal

Kathleen M. Teahanl

Walter & Edith Thonit

Louis L. Tucker

Kenneth & Dorothy Taylort

Eileen Walls

Russell & Phyllis Wheatleyt

Pamela & Malcolm Vvhiting"

Virginia Whitmore*

Sharon Leavitt and Mike Wilken"

,b".6a syeci.cLf tfrant you to

Charles T. Collins

for his gift of Col. Charles L. Rice's GailWar saddle

* giveninmemory of EvelynC. Coughlan t grven in memory of Dr. George L. Whiting

Dyer Memorial Library28 Centre Ave. . P.O.Box?245Abington, MA 02351

Ctwre,nLTryowExh'il>itLwthetSatwDyerRoomt

"Island Grove: National Historic Landmark" - Anexhibition to celebrate the AbingtonHistorical Commission's achievement in acquiring National Historic Landmark designation forIsland Grove, a site rich in history and vital to the community.

The exhibit will be on display through 24 August 2002.

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Up utn t nq Ev onty at tlw D y e,r

1 Septembet 2002 - 31. |anuary 2003 - Exhibition on the Deborah Sampson Chapter of the DAR

Saturday,14 September 2002,1:00pm - DAR meeting: "They Wroted It Down" - a slidepresentation of American history through historical documents by Joice Flimawan.

Sunday, 3 November 2OO2,2z30pm - Historical Society of Old Abington meeting. Topic "Railsto Trails." Speaker: Craig P. Della Penna, N-E. Representative, Rails to Trails Conservancy. Opento the public.

Sunday, 1 December 2002,2230pm - Historical Society of Old Abington meeting. Topic:"Longfellow's Poems." Speaker: l,ayne Longfellow. Open to the public.