Advocacy

The Friends of Stonehurst advocates to preserve, protect and enhance this special place for public enjoyment and inspiration...now and forever. As advocates with passion and knowledge about this unique resource and its meaningful place in our national story, we build support for the estate by educating elected officials and the public on successes and challenges of the estate. We draw broad community support to foster a collaborative environment and open doors to all.  

The estate is now facing the greatest challenge since its transfer from private to public ownership in 1974. The Waltham School Committee is considering taking protected conservation land from this National Historic Landmark for a new high school.

We participate in a new Coalition to Preserve the Paine Estate, which is now mobilizing. 

In close partnership with the Waltham Land Trust, we are building a group of local and regional supporters that recognize the broader implications of these competing municipal interests. Here are some examples... 

MassACHUSETTS LAND TRUST COALITION, FEB 2018

Read a legal argument against the proposal to destroy and develop the land.

WALTHAM HISTORICAL COMMISSION, FEB 2018

This City commission clarifies historical facts and opposes the land taking. 

Friends of STonehurst, Nov 2017

Even prior to the current proposal to take 13 acres or more from the Paine Estate, the Friends of Stonehurst opposed the taking of Chesterbrook Woods parcel.