Granite from Cape Ann

Cape Ann hosts many Granite deposits. As a result the town of Rockport Massachusetts hosted many immigrants from Scandinavia with a tradition in Quarrying, although neighboring Gloucester maintained it's mainly Italian and Portuguese population due to being a major fishing port. Granite was shipped throughout New England and beyond, however the end of the 19th Century saw cheaper alternatives to Granite and the industry slowly died, resulting in multiple artificial lakes across Rockport and Gloucester. The main usage of Cape Ann Granite was not for countertops but for construction projects both for foundations and roads.

Granite and other quarried rocks are separated with multiple "feathers" and wedges" that are struck down by hand with hammers until a rectangular block is made

Steel Derrik in Summer, Rockport MA

Babson's farm Quarry is situated right next to the ocean, Halibut Point State Park, Rockport MA

The town of Rockport used this Granite to build multiple breakwaters, supposedly with the purpose of building a future Naval base but halted the construction during World War 2, leaving several unfished projects by the sea.

The Initial plan called for an extensive Break water off the coast of Rockport Harbor, but never came to fruition.
Rockport Ma

Rockport Breakwater Downtown, creates artificially smooth conditions for boats. Rockport MA

For further reading, see
https://capeanngranite.wordpress.com/
http://www.capeannmuseum.org/collections/granite-quarrying/
http://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/ma/pdf/rockport_massachusetts_granite_quarries_scientific_american_nov_16_1878.pdf

Lynn Woods Reservation

Lynn Wood's Reservation

Entrance to Lynn Woods from Lynnfield St.

Lynn Woods Reservation was founded in 1881, created by what was a massive plot of public grazing lands for farmers in the towns early history. These grazing lands were portioned off for specific animals to graze at and many trails and walls within the park were formed from this very reason. Lynn Woods is the second largest municipal park within the U.S. covering 2,200 acres of land and waterways. Lynn Woods doesn't just serve as a recreational park but also as Lynn's reservoirs, supplying the town with its drinking water.

Walden's Pond

Map of Lynn Woods Reservation, please note the placement of north on the map

Lynn Woods has plenty to do besides its 30 miles of trails, it provides scenic lookouts from having the highest points within Lynn and also plenty of sightseeing locations throughout the park. Stone Tower, the park's highest point, was built in 1936 by the WPA and used as a lookout point for the park to observe for disastrous fires. This point provides a beautiful full 360 degree view of the entire park and the surrounding area, including Boston's skyline. This isn't the only scenic lookout either, going north of Walden's Pond provides another vantage point of how vast the park is, proving that it really does take up 1/5 of Lynn's area.

Stone Tower

The viewpoint from Stone Tower, Walden's Pond to the north and Boston to the south

The overlook near Balanced Boulder, north of Walden's pond, over looking most of the southern portion of Lynn Woods

Lynn Woods is also an excellent location for climbing boulders, bouldering for those that love this activity, especially if you enjoy a nice hike to the location. Lynn Woods has plenty throughout the park that are also site-seeing locations themselves, especially Dungeon Rock. Dungeon Rock itself has a very rich and old history that brings legends of pirates and treasure to the park. Back in 1658, a black ship that flew no colors arrived within Lynn, and it was crewed by pirates. 

"The pirates made camp in a place now known as Pirate's Glen near the Saugus River. British soldiers stationed nearby heard about the pirates and set off to capture them. Three of the buccaneers were captured and hung but the forth, Thomas Veal, escaped into the woods. It was believed that he took the stolen hoard with him as he headed deeper and deeper into the woods. finally arriving at a natural cave in what is now Lynn Woods. Veal lived in the cave for some time and became a member of the Lynn community. The story says he mended shoes for spending money and lived in relative peace with his neighbors. Suddenly, an earthquake rocked the Lynn area, causing a gigantic piece of the rock to tip forward and permanently seal the cave opening. Poor Veal was either trapped inside or crushed to death with his treasure, locked forever in Dungeon Rock." Friends of Lynn Woods

Dungeon Rock

Dungeon Rock was left relatively alone for nearly 200 years until Hiram Marble began his treasure hunting lifestyle at the site for the rest of his lifetime. He and his son would spend decades digging within this location looking for the treasure, not for themselves but for the community and to show proof that they could speak to the dead (which proved false). During his time there, he started to believe in the idea of a public park and wanted to use any proceeds from the treasure hunt to be spent on this dream. However, Hiram and his son never found the treasure and when he passed in 1868. Hiram Marbles asked to be buried at the entrance marked under a large rock, which is still there. To this day, the gravel surrounding Dungeon Rock are what's left of Hiram and his son blasting their way through the rock and throwing it outside. As for the rest of Dungeon Rock's site, you'll have to explore it on your own treasure hunt through Lynn Woods.

There is so much to Lynn Woods that it's nearly impossible to complete it all in one day, and if you do go on an excursion to this wondrous park be prepared to bring supplies. Its important to make sure you bring plenty of water, snacks, and most importantly a map of the area. Also, wear comfortable walking shoes as its easy to hike a few miles without realizing it to get to your destination.Since you'll be in the wilds of Lynn, make sure to watch out for animals (coyotes and circling vultures) and please don't go swimming in the reservoir since that is the drinking water! 

Links for Lynn Woods Reservation

City of Lynn's website on Lynn Woods

History of Lynn Woods

Friends of Lynn Woods

Stone Tower

Dungeon Rock

Bouldering

    

 In a similar vein to my highlighting of Lynn English High School as a historic landmark in Lynn deserving of a spotlight, I’ve again decided to highlight a historic landmark in Lynn that is a part of everyday life for many of us but is nevertheless important due both to its own historical significance and how it helps to educate the local populace about events that have taken place in the past. I’m talking of course about the Lynn Public Library, which for over 100 years has provided the people of Lynn with access to a wide variety of different texts through which they can seek to widen their knowledge in relation to a number of different subjects. The Library is located at 5 N Common Street, and as such it is located across the street from the Lynn Commons (Wiki). There were library like institutions in Lynn from 1815 onward, however it took until the opening of the Lynn Public Library in 1900 for there to be a permanent public library (Wiki). Construction for this new library began in 1898, and the library first opened its doors on April 2, 1900 (Lynn PDF). The cost of construction for the library was $175,000 dollars and the construction was completed with no public funding (Wiki). There was a certain element of controversy surrounding the building of the library as the architect (George A. Moore) was related to one of the trustees for the building of the library (Wiki). Even though the library was established over one hundred years ago, it continues to provide valuable service to the Lynn community as, in its own words, the Lynn Public Library strives to serve “the needs of a diverse population whose interests range from scholarly research to cultural pursuits to entertainment” (Lynn Public Library). According to the same website the Library’s collection includes “almost 125,000 volumes” (Lynn Public Library), which provides ample evidence of the Library serving its function to the community of Lynn as a place where a large number of different texts can be obtained and utilized. I would make the case that the access that the library provides to the populace of Lynn to valuable texts (many of which are no doubt historical in nature), is indicative of its historical significance to the city of Lynn.

Works Cited

http://www.noblenet.org/lynn/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Common_Historic_District

file:///C:/Users/pjdt2/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/lyn_530.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Public_Library

Martin Luther King Jr Boston Home

                      https://boston.curbed.com/2016/1/11/10848190/martin-luther-king-jr-boston

Martin Luther King Jr was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. King stayed in Atlanta until he graduated from Morehouse College in 1948. He then attended Boston University from 1951-1955. While studying at Boston University, King lived at this home (pictured above). I have driven by this building many, many times and did not know of its historical background until I actually walked by it when I exited the subway located next door. There is an official plague commemorating his tenancy. In the Spring of 1954, King was invited to become the new minister in Alabama and although his classes in Boston had ended he was still writing his dissertation so he traveled back and forth from Boston to Alabama. He received his degree on June 5, 1955. Six months later the Montgomery bus boycott ended.

Irzyk Park - M60 Tank

Every morning and evening as I travel to and from work, I pass by a tank sitting idle in a park. Even though this tank catches my eye every time I pass by, I had no clue as to why it is there and what it represents. I didn't even know the name of the park, to be honest. I do now.

The park is called Irzyk Park. It is located in Salem Massachusetts  at 17 Fort Avenue. "The park is named in honor of Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk, a Salem native who served in World War II, the Berlin Crisis of 1961, and the Vietnam War. Initially joining the United States Army in 1940, he gave a total of 31 years in its service." (1) 

To amplify the parks meaning, an M60 tank is on public display. "The M60 Patton is a main battle tank (MBT) introduced in December 1960. With the United States Army's deactivation of their last heavy tank battalion in 1963, the M60 became the Army's primary tank during the Cold War. (2)

The tank on display is easily accessible. Anyone can walk right up to it. 

(1) https://www.salem.com/veterans-services/pages/irzyk-park
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M60_Patton

On a more solemn note...

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A place that pleads to the world a simple notion: "never again".

I first visited this museum during a middle-school trip to D.C., and I still remember how deeply it impacted me. The museum's goal is to show the world as much personal testimony and artifacts of the Holocaust as possible, creating a more personal and emotional view of it. Here, those affected by the Holocaust will never be forgotten.

The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. The Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler, came into power in Germany in January of 1933 and later that year established the first concentration camps. Before this, over nine million Jews lived in Europe.

What I also found very interesting and important is the museum's newest exhibit, called "Syria: Please Don't Forget Us". This exhibit gives a voice to those currently being persecuted under the Syrian government and compares the imprisonment, torture and killing to that of the Holocaust. Most importantly, it puts it into a perspective and asks us why we care so much about the Holocaust if we cannot accept and aid those fleeing from the same thing happening in Syria?

~
All information comes from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Official Website

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Today I want to share with you all the beauty of our nation's very own Cherry Blossom Festival!

In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, Japan gifted the city of Washington, D.C. 3000 cherry trees in celebration and honor of the two countries' friendship. Through mutual effort from both American and Japanese agriculturists, the voyage of the trees was successful. Then, "in a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park."

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

I had the pleasure of visiting Washington D.C. earlier this March where we saw a few early blooms, like the one above. Cherry Blossoms themselves come in different shades, from bright pink to white. In Japan, celebrating the bloom of the cherry blossom trees is a Spring tradition, called "hanami". It often involves picnics, outdoor markets and lots of picture taking!

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

In the United States, the tradition began in 1927 when schoolchildren would reenact the gift-giving. In 1935, Civic groups expanded the notion into festivities. 2012 marked the 100 year anniversary of the gift, and the capital celebrated with a 5 week long festival. Today, the festival spans 4 weeks and welcomes more then 1.5 million eager visitors to usher in the Spring season!

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

All information in this post comes from the National Cherry Blossom Festival Official Website 😊

The Lincoln Memorial (1922)

This year, from March 15th to March 18th, I took another trip down to Washington D.C. This time for pleasure rather than all that climate march business in my previous post. Last time was fun and all, but there wasn't nearly enough time to wander around and see the sights before being packed into a hot bus. I took a 10 hour bus ride to get there and I was determined to take in all I could squeeze into a weekend trip to the nation's capitol. Originally I went for the Cherry Blossom Festival, but it was too cold for the blossoms to bloom, so the festival was delayed for a month! Found my way back to the mall to start. Easiest place since all the museums are located on one convenient strip

But my main topic of this post, like my last, is a specific attraction. This being the great Lincoln Memorial. You'd know coming into this what it's all about from the title. After my trek all around the city, the walk up to the monument and the steep steps going up are pretty daunting. The monument covered up the sun on my way up. It's much larger being there than the way that it looks than you'd see it on television. The steps and inside were flooded with people taking pictures and reading the inscriptions on the wall

"The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. Dedicated in 1922, it is one of several monuments built to honor an American president. It has always been a major tourist attraction and since the 1930s has been a symbolic center focused on race relations."

"Below the quote sits a 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of President Lincoln, himself looking out over the Mall of the country that he fought so hard to preserve and unite. The statue was designed by Daniel Chester French, who worked to depict Lincoln during the Civil War, stately and dignified. Interestingly, though the memorial was approved decades earlier, construction did not begin until 1914, and the memorial opened to the public in 1922."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial
https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/lincoln-memorial

Washington Monument/ Washington D.C.

On April 29th, 2017, I went to Washington D.C to participate in the Climate march on Washington. The trip was really fun as well as rewarding. To be able to bring awareness to the rising temperatures of the globe is important for all to recognize. I, along with others, Journeyed from the national mall all around the area with signs and chants to spread. We passed by all the museums, passed by the White House and rounded the Washington Monument.

What I focus on, however, is the Washington Monument. "The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 as a tribute to George Washington's military leadership from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution. Its construction took place in two major phases, 1848-56, and 1876-84--a lack of funds, political turmoil, and uncertainty about the survival of the American Union caused the intermittent hiatus. Plans for a national monument began as early as 1783 when Congress proposed that an equestrian statue of George Washington be erected" (1). Its really a marvel to be in the presence of something so large and monumental (haha). Without prior knowledge, it boggles the mind to try to imagine the construction of such a thing. I thought it was really cool to just be able to go see it (even if it was closed to the public at the time).

Bibliography:

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc72.htm (1)

2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024 (address)

Tour De Beverly Public Library. 32 Essex Street | Beverly, MA 01915

Hello All!

I will be your host on your wonderful journey around Beverly Public Library(Biblioteca de Beverly)! I hope y'all enjoy, we will begin with the outskirts of this Wunderbar(wonderful) resort.  

Here is the front side of Beverly library. It has 6 pillars(three on each side) with names of renowned American artists. Inside the dome, official dates of the library's history are engraved into its marble walls. 

Hawthorne is the first on the right side of the building to have his name engraved on the marble and on the left is Whitter.

Inside the dome contains these reminders of Beverly Public Library's history. 

Let's take a look at the rest of the building's perimeter. 

The Left Entrance. 

The Buildings Back. 

                                                                                                              The Buildings Right

Now, let's dissect this building. 

Walking in from the main entrance up the stairs, you will sight this large appealing oil canvas.

By: Paul Van Ness

Title: Emily Reading

Continuing up the stairs you will reach their end and begin a look at the buildings top floor. Books are on the left of where I took the photo and right. Usually, I study at the right desk behind the blue chairs because it's cozy and large. 

 This is the main entrance from the front. The checkout people are really stubborn sometimes except for one man who plays the piano.

 This is the bottom floor only directly accessible from the left entrance, but coming down from the main entrance on swirling stars will lead  to this destination aswell.

This Dinosaur, Rex, and I wish you a goofy goober day and hope you mildly(at least) enjoyed Tour De Beverly Public Library.

Μπορείτε να ανακαλύψετε περισσότερα για ένα άτομο σε μια ώρα παιχνιδιού παρά ένα χρόνο συνομιλίας -Plato.

Bibliography:

Beverly Public Library | 32 Essex Street | Beverly, MA ... 2018, beverlypubliclibrary.org.

Composed by: Rex & Jacob. 

Boeing B-29A 'Superfortress'/New England Air Museum

On April 7, 2018, I journeyed down to Windsor Locks, CT  to visit the New England Air Museum.
The trip was mostly in celebration of my dad's Birthday and his great interest in military fighter jets.
I, as well as he, found the museum to be extremely interesting and very educational. Alongside
helicopters, blimps, original aircraft engine designs, and other artifacts, the facilities housed
many airplanes including the first mass-produced one, the Blériot XI which dates back to 1911.
The Most notable of the planes for me, though, was the Boeing B-29A 'Superfortress'.

When I entered the Hanger at the New England Air Museum that housed the B29 'Superfortress',
I was immediately amazed by this enormous plane boasting a wingspan of over 140ft. It is amazing
that such an enormous plane weighing in at over 100,000lbs can travel between speeds of 220 and
365mph. I was able to walk around the plane, look into it (but not enter or touch) and travel to a
mezzanine where I took a birds-eye-view picture of it.  

B29 'Superfortress'

M56 LC Demolition Bomb

The Sign says "This Type of light case 4000 pound bomb was used in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Its primary targets were factories and dock yards. They were mostly dropped from B-29 Superforts. - Courtesy of Mark Boudreau

"The 'Superfortress' was primarily used in the Pacific War, culminating in its use in the dropping of
the world's first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945 which led to the surrender
of Japan and the end of World War II" (1) This wasn't the exact plane that dropped the world's first
atomic bomb but it is one of the same kind. It is one of just under Four thousand of the same model
produced between 1943 and 1946 (2). The actual plane that dropped the atomic bomb was flown by
Enola Gay and is currently housed and on display at the  "World War II Aviation (UH) exhibition at the
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA." (3)

The plane that was right before my own very eyes was flown by the 58th bomb wing and within the
same hanger, the museum houses a memorial dedicated to them. "The 58th Bomb Wing Memorial
pays tribute to the thousands of men in the first unit to introduce the Boeing B-29 Superfortress into
combat in World War II" (4)

I found the New England Air Museum to be a really awesome and (relatively) local museum. I am
surprised that I never knew it existed but am happy to have visited it.  The day that I went happened
to be their "Space Expo 2018" which highlighted many past, present and future space expedition
programs and topics.(5)

(1) https://www.neam.org/ac-boeing-b29.php

(2) http://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-29-superfortress.page

(3) https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/boeing-b-29-superfortress-enola-gay

(4) https://www.neam.org/58th-bw-memorial.php

(5) https://www.neam.org/programs-2018-space-expo.php

Lynn English High School on 50 Goodridge Street has long been a familiar sight and fixture for the cities’ inhabitants, but this was not always the case (Wiki Page). In fact, the school’s current location is the fifth that it has held in its history. The locations of Lynn English in chronological order of establishment are The First Lynn English High School (Located on Franklin Street, operated in 1889), The Second Lynn English High School (Located on High Street, Operated from 1889 to 1892), The Third Lynn English High School (Located on Baldwin Street, Operated from 1892 to 1924), The Fourth Lynn English High School (Located on Neptune Boulevard, Operated from 1924 to 1931), and the current version of Lynn English High School (In operation since 1931)(Lynn Alumni). In it’s current location Lynn English is situated in the middle of a neighborhood that is characterized by the diversity of its inhabitants and these inhabitants largely middle class economic outlook (About our school - Lynn English). The diversity of the surrounding neighborhood is directly evidenced in the demographics present in the student body. According to information collected by the school in 2013, the total population of the school was 1,629 and the percentage of students were 26% - Caucasian, 48% - Hispanic, 16% - African-American, and 8% - Asian (About our school - Lynn English). The significance of Lynn English High School to the city of Lynn is the fact that it provides its students with a high-quality learning environment, as is evidenced by the fact that US News and World Report issued a list that ranked Lynn English among the nations top High School and that it was voted the best long income school in Massachusetts by Businessweek Magazine (US News). Lynn English High School has also been able to distinguish itself in other ways, as it did in 2011 when it won the Stand Up award in recognition for its efforts to prevent bullying among the student body (With the help and efforts of the students themselves of course) (Lynn Item Article). I feel that the historical significance of Lynn English isn’t as world changing as most of the subjects we’ve studied this semester, but I’d argue historical significance can be fairly attributed to the school as at its current location it has served the community and its youth well for over 80 years. Over the course of this time it has done a tremendous amount to educate generations of the youths of Lynn, and as a result I feel that it’s importance to the community is difficult to understate.  Its with this importance to the city of Lynn that I feel Lynn English High School earns its status as a historically significant institution in Lynn.

Works Cited

http://lynnenglishalumni.org/about-us/history-2/

 https://archive.is/20130415064751/http://www.lynnenglish.org/home/about-our-school.html

https://archive.is/20130411043353/http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/12/14/news/news13.txt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_English_High_School

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-rankings-blog/2008/12/05/the-new-high-school-rankings-are-here

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza at One Ellis Square in Beverly MA.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza at One Ellis Square in Beverly MA.

         Ellis Square was dedicated in 1921 and named for World War I veteran Harry Gordon Ellis who was killed in action in 1918. In 1981, Beverly mayor Peter Fortunato built a park within the square, naming it Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza at One Ellies Square and dedicated a memorial plaque which served as the original Vietnam Veteran Memorial marker(2)

(1)

Vietnam Memorial Plaza at One Ellis Square offers immense historical significance as it housed the draft office for Vietnam veterans, as well as park benches where draftees sat awaiting their bus to the Fargo building for physicals. Many of Beverly's Vietnam veterans remember departing for the war with friends who would never come back(2)

Understandably, Beverly’s Vietnam Veterans have a strong connection to this area and would like to see the importance of this location and their experiences preserved and honored. They also want to educate the community and younger generations about one of the most divisive wars in U.S history. This is why Beverly is offering a contest for any artist, 18 and above, to design a memorial statue for the Plaza. The criteria for the design can be found in the link provided or the designer can contact Kevin Harutunian at 978-605- 2333, kharutunian@beverlyma.gov, or Denise Deschamps at 978-605-2356, ddeschamps@beverlyma.gov(2)

Bibliography:

1. “Frank James Gallant.” SSGT Frank James Gallant, Beverly, MA on Www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 23 Oct. 2017, www.virtualwall.org/dg/GallantFJ01a.htm.
2. “VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL PLAZA AT ONE ELLIS SQUARE SCULPTURE COMPETITION.” City of Beverly, 2 Aug. 2017, www.beverlyma.gov/vietnam-veterans-memorial-plaza-at-one-ellis-square-sculpture-competition/.

Published by: Jacob Lopez