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A shout out about an upcoming local event: Local author Lisa Braxton will be at Ames Free Library on June 4th6:30-7:30 pm to talk about her recent memoir About Dancing Between the Raindrops. Lisa Braxton is also the author of The Talking Drum, winner of a 2021 Independent Book Awards Gold Medal and an Emmy-nominated former television journalist, essayist, and short story writer. Her new book is about her personal experience with caretaking and grief. Lisa’s parents died within two years of each other, both of cancer. She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer while caring for her mother. “In this intimate, lyrical memoir-in-essays, Lisa takes us to the core of her loss and extends a lifetime of comfort to anyone who needs to be reminded that in their grief they are not alone.” The event will be held in the 1st Floor Presentation Commons at Queset House.  Author Lisa Braxton. On Sunday, May 19, a very successful event was held at the Historical Society & Museum. Lori Pires presented “The History of Hats” to a large audience. Lori has been a collector of hats from a young age and has a sizable collection that she shared with us. Her lively and knowledgeable presentation was informative and entertaining. Lori walked us through the history of hats- work hats, fashionable hats, military hats, ball caps. Lori's daughter accompanied and assisted her. ECAT filmed the presentation if you are interested!  “History of Hats by Lorraine.” Presenter Lori Pires. President Ken Michel, always a good sport, introduced Lori.  Ken Michel.  Hats and a hat box. Personally I remember buying a new hat every Easter when I was young; Women and girls still wore hats to church in the 1960's. Enjoy the good weather while we have it and stay tuned for information about upcoming events. Purple iris rim the small pond Yellow iris in fat bud at the big pond Long ago D & K carved initials Into that tree bending under yesterdays  STONE WALLS One more time with stone artifacts and I promise I will stop. Often overlooked as important artifacts from the past, stonewalls, and other stone structures, created or edited by man, are a window into the history of New England and its original small farming communities. One of those communities is Easton. Glacial stone is enduring, unlike wood, clay, glass or paper. Here are a few things of interest.  A beautiful wall along South Street. A member steered me toward a stone tunnel under the railroad tracks, most likely used for livestock crossing once the train went through. Neighborhood children remember playing in it.  This tunnel runs under the railroad line in North Easton.  I love this photo from sometime before 1909 when the trolleys stopped running. Five Corners looked very different. Photo EHS. "There is life in a stone. Any stone that sits in a field or lies on a beach takes on the memory of that place. You can feel that stones have witnessed so many things." Quote from Andy Goldsworthy. If this is true and I hope it is, the old stone walls hidden in the woods, the lichen covered ruins in disarray, and the stately boulders of the Rockery must all hold on to memories of our past. Nothing is ever really gone. While some perhaps see the old stone walls and ruins as an unsightly nuisance, many love them for what they represent. They speak of our communal past- in New England, and here in Easton in particular. Today many street names still reflect Easton’s rural past- Randall Farm Drive, Andrews Farm Road, Deer Meadow, Beaver Dam, Scotch Dam Road, Sawmill Lane, Cranberry Lane, Olde Farm Road. Perhaps we are nostalgic for the past. Some stone walls in New England have been re-purposed for other projects. While this may be practical in some cases, we should also remember that the walls are artifacts from the past and as such are a precious window into our common history. So, while you’re enjoying a walk in the woods or a stroll along Easton’s streets, keep an eye out for these beautiful reminders of our agricultural past.  From 1895: Around 469 Bay Road looking south.  Ames-Webster Mansion The Ames-Webster Mansion is located at the corner of Commonwealth Ave and Dartmouth Street in Boston's prestigious Back Bay neighborhood. In the 1880's it was the winter home of industrialist and congressman Frederick L. Ames, "who engaged the finest craftsmen and artists to create a true architectural masterpiece and Gilded Age icon." (Campionre) Mr. Ames's family/country home was located at Langwater in North Easton. The original mansion was designed in 1872 by architects Peabody and Stearns. In 1882 the home was enlarged for Mr. Ames by architect John Hubbard Sturgis who also designed the Museum of Fine Arts. In the house were 50 rooms, 28 fireplaces and various hidden passageways. The beautiful home was inhabited by the Ames and Webster families for ninety years. Inside are masterful works of art including stained glass by John LaFarge and murals by Benjamin Constant. In 1972 the mansion was converted to serve as offices and was used as such until 2014 when the building was bought by Dr. Fahad El Athel, who began restoration. Under the supervision of the architectural firm Hamady Architects the stained glass and murals were cleaned and restored. A reinstatement of its original gated carriage entrance and a new garden were added. The old Ames-Webster building was now a three-unit condo building with parking in the basement and common spaces that are true to the history of the space. "Heir to railroad fortune, Mr. Ames served as vice president of the Old Colony Railroad and Fall River Steamboat Line. He was also an art collector, with holdings that included porcelains, paintings, crystals and jades, according to a New York Times Obituary in 1893. The Ameses were entertainers and would host grand parties in the oak great hall, with the orchestra playing above in the music room, according to Mr. Hamady's research. Mr. Hamady found old photographs of Mr. Ames dressed up as a Shakespearean character at a costume party, most likely Henry VIII." (Wall Street Journal) Thus another interesting connection to North Easton and the illustrious Ames family. Anne Wooster Drury [email protected]   Sources and more information:
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