Weekly Update

​Greetings!  Summer weather made a spectacular return late this week and it looks like August might provide the best weather of the season.  The sun is certainly bringing out the visitors and walkers and finally fostering some outdoor activities.


One of the special sights of any summer would be a glimpse into Mrs. Frothngham's Rose Garden at her Elm Street home "Wayside."  This garden attracted both national and international attention for its wide variety of specialty roses and architectural layout and elements.  Secreted away to the northwest of her home, which is now the Easton Town Offices, the Rose Garden was a place of finely manicured beauty.  America's best rose experts, landscape architects, and gardeners created and maintained one of Easton's true "hidden gems."

The photo album we received last week included a real surprise - four photos of three great friends posing in Mrs. Frothingham's Rose Garden!  These pictures were probably taken around Class Day for the Oliver Ames High School Class of 1929.  The young graduates, fresh faced and finely dressed, are Evelyn (Ev) Lawson, Enis (Enie) Larson, and Irene Mahan.  They strike a balance of both formal and fun poses as they commemorate their day together.  It must have been quite an honor to have their pictures taken at the Rose Garden!  Evelyn would later marry Andrew Costello, and it is her daughter Nancy (Costello) Spindler who donated the album kept by her mother.  Enis would marry Harland Almquist, and their daughter Priscilla Almquist-Olsen spent time at the Museum this week to help identify people in the album.  I do not know too much about Irene Mahan and I hope someone reading this might provide more information on her.  Ev Lawson's father Charles was a gardener at Unity Close, and provided the connection for the girls to make an appearance at the Rose Garden.

Until next week, stay well, and enjoy the summer!
Frank
Frank T. Meninno

Curator, Easton Historical Society and Museum
508-238-7774