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

Tent City, South End Boston

http://www.southendhistoricalsociety.org/south-end-history-part-iii-urban-renewal/

In the 1950s, the city of Boston began exploring ways to improve certain neighborhoods that they believed were run down, most of which were located in the South End. The Boston Housing Authority reported poor conditions in these neighborhoods such as: disfigurement with the appearance of open garbage dumpsters, ugly houses with falling plaster, cracked exteriors, rickety entrance halls and stairways, as well as dirty rat infested streets. Several years later hundreds of families that lived in these neighborhoods received a notice to move and families were removed and rehoused, or often left homeless. During this period, many buildings were being destroyed but people were tired of being pushed out without the guarantee of affordable housing from the city so some organized and fought for affordable housing.  A famous example is Tent City, which today is a housing development on the corner of Dartmouth Street and Columbus Avenue.  In 1968, the city planned to build a parking garage in this space but the people were frustrated with being displaced by these projects so they protested and protestors occupied the lot, pitched tents, and camped there for three days.  They won, but the city did not build affordable housing until 1988!

Hammond Park, Marblehead, MA

Hammond Park in Marblehead, Massachusetts

Hammond Park, named after William L. Hammond who was a prominent Marblehead school teacher that passed in 1995, is located at the end of Commercial Street next to the Municipal Light Department building,  overlooking Marblehead Harbor. Unfortunately at this time, Hammond Park is closed off to the public due to damage from the storms in March, you can see some of the debris still sprawled out throughout the park.

Hammond Park was established next to what used to be the Burgess Airplane Factory, that once proudly stood producing and testing new airplanes for the military during WWI. Starling Burgess, who may not have beaten the Wright brothers to the airplane, was actually the inventor of the first biplane which was built and tested in Marblehead, MA. Prior to his love of creating aircraft, Burgess was a prominent yacht builder and was very skilled at his craft. His work was extremely valuable for the war effort and also started the magnificent reign of Marine Corps aviation, which began its tests with Lt. A. A. Cunningham conducting flights over Marblehead Harbor. Sadly near the end of the war, the Burgess Airplane Factory caught fire and burnt down, what was once the largest employer of "Headers" in Marblehead soon disappeared over night. This lead Burgess to continue his old work of building award winning yachts. 

Pictured above: A Burgess Hydro-aeroplane preparing for testing and Burgess himself inspecting one of his own planes.

The United States Marine Corps prides itself on its traditions and history, including historical battles and dates of important changes to the organization.  Marblehead is considered the birthplace of Marine Corps Aviation due to Marine Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham’s soloed flight from the Burgess plant in Marblehead, Massachusetts on August 1 1912. From there, he continued to have a major role in the Marine Corps’ aviation practices, specifically during WWI and after. His continued advancement through the ranks soon landed Lt. Col. Cunningham the position of the first Director of Marine Corps Aviation. These accomplishments are now on display through a small plaque at the park along the water in historic Marblehead.

Links provided within text and as well as here,

History of A. A. Cunningham
nationalaviation.org
web.archive.org

History of Marine Corps Aviation
mca-marines.org

History of Starling Burgess and aviation within Marblehead
airspacemag.com
whalingmuseum.org
marblehead.wickedlocal.com

Grand Army of the Republic Museum

Grand Army of the Republic Museum in Lynn, MA

http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/attractions_gar.shtml

I had no idea what I wanted to do a blog post on. My sister is a bit of a history buff, so I asked her for some ideas. She told me about this little museum right in Lynn on a street you wouldn’t expect to find one. She had been there multiple times in high school for a class project. I told her that we had stopped by the place on our outing but didn’t get to go in because it was closed. So I brought my sister along with me to visit the museum. I learned that the building was built in 1885 but wasn’t registered as a historic site until about 100 years later. The GAR post was also the fifth built here in Massachusetts. I wished I took a picture of the main hall but I was too busy looking around, but you really wouldn’t expect how big the room was from the outside of the building. The main room was originally the post's meeting room which consisted of over a thousand portraits of veterans lined all over the room.

Wheelabrator, Saugus - The First Waste-to-Energy Plant in the United States

Wheelabrator Waste-to-Energy Plant, Saugus, Massachusetts

Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary - caps the Wheelabrator Monofill

There are over 2,200 waste-to-energy plants around the world.  The first waste-to-energy plants started up in Europe where there are over 500 plants operating today.  China currently has the world'd largest waste-to-energy plant but Dubai is now building an even larger one.  The very first waste-to-energy plant in the United States started up in 1975, right over the border from Lynn on the marsh in Saugus, Massachusetts.  There are 71 plants operating today in the United States. 

These plants are called waste-to-energy plants because they burn solid waste (trash) and capture the energy produced in the process to create electricity.  The Saugus plant produces 37 megawatts of electricity per day, enough to power 38,000 homes. The waste is reduced to ash, which looks like concrete blocks when it is landfilled.  The waste to energy process reduces what gets landfilled by 90%.  Ash landfills are called monofills, because it is the only material in the landfill.  

The waste-to energy plants also recapture metals from the process and put those metals back in the market, effectively recycling them.

One byproduct of burning waste is dioxin, a very toxic chemical to humans.  Up until the 1990s, waste-to-energy plants released dioxin into the atmosphere.  Environmentalists fought for greater air and water regulations and waste-to-energy plants were required to equip their plants with expensive "scrubbers", which clean the smoke of dioxin and other toxic chemicals.  The ash on the other hand, holds those pollutants. The ash is formed into concrete blocks--not a powder that the word "ash" might evoke.  Still, environmentalists are still concerned about ground water being contaminated by dioxin and other pollutants if the ash comes into contact with ground water.

The Saugus plant's monofill has a thick natural liner of Boston Blue Clay that was naturally in the marsh.  In addition they capture all the groundwater and send it to the cooling tanks at the waste-to-energy plant.  Some environmental groups are concerned that the concrete and clay barriers could leak and pollute the marshes, the Saugus river and the ocean.  They also worry about sea level rise impacting the monofill.  Right now, there is a big controversy because Wheelabrator has requested to increase the height of the monofill for more ash as the monofill is almost at capacity. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has granted a preliminary permit, and it is expected to be made permanent.  As a result, some environmental groups like the Conservation Law Foundation were on WGBH News today, March 22, 2018, protesting the move.

I worry about the toxins in the monofill too.  Yet, for now, I don't know a better solution to dealing with waste.  If we didn't have the waste-to-energy plant, the waste would be landfilled.  Methane would leak into the atmosphere and toxins would leach into the groundwater--and 90% more land would be needed for the landfills.  When I was a young girl in Lynn during the 1960s -1970's there were big landfills all around and very visible--on the Lynnway, on the Saugus marsh several along Route 128 and other highways.  Those landfills were very polluting and are still contaminating groundwater although we cannot see the trash anymore because they have been capped.  For now, the new technology of the waste-to-energy plant that debuted in Saugus in 1975 still makes sense 40 years later.

http://www.wtienergy.com/plant-locations/energy-from-waste/wheelabrator-saugus

https://news.wgbh.org/2018/03/21/local-news/massachusetts-may-extend-life-controversial-ash-landfill-saugus

http://globalenergyobservatory.org/list.php?db=PowerPlants&type=Waste

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=25732

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste-to-energy_plant