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IrTil
<br /> The fragility of areas under jurisdiction of the Mashpee decorated with a frosting replica of the old North School,
<br /> Conservation Commission was demonstrated in 1991 by soft drinks,tea and coffee were served. Mr. Kinsley spoke
<br /> the severity of damage to land and properties of our informally. A much-beloved teacher,Alvema Consolini,
<br /> residents.The importance and impact realized by enforce- who now lives in Sandwich, was also warmly welcomed.
<br /> ment of the State and Town regulations and by-laws can The-program concluded with group singing of the popular
<br /> now be assessed in what could and may happen if storms "oldie""School Days,."and another tune from the past
<br /> "Mashpee Will Shine Tonight."
<br /> of even greater magnitude occur in the future. Mashpee
<br /> is indeed fortunate to have the services of this conscien-
<br /> tious, knowledgeable and dedicated group serving as A total of one hundred and one individuals visited the
<br /> members of our Commission. Archives building during the calendar year. Some spent
<br /> several hours of research, others just wanted to learn
<br /> Respectfully submitted, "something about old Mashpee." The visitors included
<br /> students - both undergraduate and graduate, as well as
<br /> Harry Desrosiers, Chairman younger pupils -teachers, researchers, and descendants
<br /> P,atrick Coffey, Vice Chairman of former townspeople.
<br /> Gertrude Simmons-Ferriday, Clerk
<br /> Frank (Dan) Homeyer During the Thursdays, when the building is open to
<br /> Renee King Fudala the public, as well as at other times, Commission
<br /> Susana Lannik, members have "clocked" approximately eight hundred
<br /> Kathy Terrio hours of volunteer service, and have attended monthly
<br /> Elizabeth Terry, Associate Member Commission meetings of about two hours duration each.
<br /> V. Louise Behrman, Associate Member
<br /> Jack Fitzsimmons, Associate Member Through the cooperation of the Personnel Depart-
<br /> Robert Sherman, Conservation Agent ment's program"Volunteers in Government Service,"we
<br /> Diana Lund, Administrative Secretary were able to have a volunteer assigned to the Commis-
<br /> sion. Mrs. Jeanne BeClerck began her assignment in
<br /> April, and had donated one hundred and twenty hours
<br /> Report of the of service between that date and the end of November.
<br /> She was awarded a special certificate by the Personnel
<br /> Historical Commission
<br /> Department. Mrs. DeClerck assists with the newspaper
<br /> clippings and the Vertical File and the Photo File, and
<br /> is a pleasant receptionist for visitors to the Archives. We
<br /> To the Honorable Selectmen are happy with her services.
<br /> and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee:
<br /> Early in June, Commission members returned to one
<br /> of the burial sites identified over the past few years, to
<br /> We continue to feel proud of the activities of the
<br /> continue"clean-up."Vines were trimmed and gravestones
<br /> ed, and
<br /> Historical Commission. Our interest has not wan were cleaned. The only site worked on was the small
<br /> as the time goes by we main involved in, and dedicated
<br /> fenced-in area on lower Main Street. Clearing of other
<br /> to maintaining the Mashpee Archives,where many of the sites is on our continuing agenda.
<br /> town's public records and historical documents are
<br /> preserved. Since 1985 when the Annual Town Meeting
<br /> We have omitted trips to the State Archives and the
<br /> g designated the former public Library as the official Massachusetts Historical Commission in Boston this year,
<br /> "Mashpee Archives Building,"the Historical Commission
<br /> in an effort to reduce our expenditures. However, these
<br /> has been privileged to be its custodian.Much of the Com-
<br /> mission's activity in 1991 has been archives-ac visits are a necessary and important activity, and we hope
<br /> to make several Boston trips in 1992.
<br /> quisition
<br /> related,but we do remain involved in other duties relating
<br /> to historic aspects of Mashpee.
<br /> Cooperation is continuing with the Museum of the
<br /> In-
<br /> American Indian-Heyde Foundation/Smithsonian
<br /> One of the unusual and pleasant experiences of the year
<br /> stitution.This year at the invitation of the Photo Archives
<br /> t only for Commision members,but also for a special
<br /> no
<br /> staff of the Museum,we have embarked on a cooperative
<br /> group of town residents-was the"Remembering School
<br /> photo-identification project, which will be available for
<br /> Days" program sponsored for former students of
<br /> public viewing some time in 1992. The photos - of late
<br /> Mashpee's old North School, and Simeon Kinsley who 19th and early 20th Centuries-are of Mashpee and Gay
<br /> served as a teacher and principal of the school between
<br /> Head members of the Wampanoag Tribe. Many of the
<br /> 1929 and 193 1. Mr. Kinsley now lives in Sharon. At the
<br /> family names are extant in our community. We plan to
<br /> sug
<br /> gestion of a Commission member, a contact with him
<br /> ask some of the long-time Mashpee residents to view the
<br /> was made in the spring, as we were researching informa-
<br /> photos, and if they have memories of the individuals,to
<br /> tion on Mashpee's schools.This contact led to the intrigu share these memories with us. This will help many to
<br /> ing question: "Wouldn't it be great if former Principal
<br /> Kinsley met with some of his former pupils to talk about know more about the lives and day-to-day activities of
<br /> Mashpee residents of the past.
<br /> i the old school days?"That idea began to take form, and
<br /> led to invitations to as many of the former students as
<br /> We continue to add books and manuscripts to our
<br /> could be located.On July 17,about 40 to 45 former pupils
<br /> reference shelves. Our collection - which does not cir-
<br /> with husbands and wives - joined to greet Simeon
<br /> culate-relates in the main to information on the Wam-
<br /> Kinsley for a few hours of"remember when."A huge cake
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