Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who helped create this National Historic Landmark property saw public lands as essential to our democracy and to human health and well being. During this pandemic year, people from all walks of life rediscovered just how vital a role public parks play in our lives, our health and our communities. The public servants who quietly care for them deserve our appreciation too!
The historic core and woodland trails of Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate remained open during the pandemic while other city parks and recreational facilities were closed to the public. Many new users, especially families with small children, discovered the estate in their search for a safe place to gather with friends or to simply get outdoors for peace of mind, fresh air and exercise. The parking lot remains full to this day even on weekdays.
Staff responded to many new challenges and requests raised by the increased outdoor visitation and continued to work on ensuring an enjoyable and safe experience for Stonehurst’s growing visitorship. They continued to work with the public, clients, teachers, vendors, project consultants, City staff and Waltham organizations to pivot on plans and agreements, make progress on projects, address site issues as they arose, provide alternatives to in-person visitation to the building, ensure smooth site operation, and otherwise serve the public.
RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE
Despite the mandatory closure of the public building, staff continued to make progress on ongoing projects large and small by:
$754,163 in CPA grant funds will restore the building exterior.
Working with a preservation architect and agencies to complete the design phase of the exterior restoration project and securing $754,163 in CPA grant funds for the construction phase. The project will repair and replace decayed wooden features, replace the 1866 roof, reshingle the Richardson wing, repair windows, and refresh paint. It will go out to bid soon.
Processing a large donation of collections and archives historically associated with the women and children of the house.
Regularly monitoring and addressing leaks, heating outages, seasonal maintenance, invasive plants, previously contracted work and other issues on the property during the shutdown and reopening.
Visitation and Public Service
Despite the mandatory cancellation of rentals, events and programs, staff continued to serve the public by:
Creating many new family-oriented webpages, remote learning alternatives for Waltham Public School field trips and other on-line offerings, such as: Open Air Therapy, Virtual Walk with Olmsted, 3rd-grade Remote Learning, Nature Prints, A Tour with Great Grandchildren, Structures Lost and Found, Clues to Growing Up at Stonehurst, Western Greenway, Woodland Plants, and Restoration Projects.
Partnering with Waltham Public School teachers and administrators to develop new 8th-grade civics curriculum on voting rights from diverse perspectives in commemoration of the women’s suffrage centennial in 2020. The “Anxious to Vote: Students, Workers and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage” curriculum project was funded in part by Mass Humanities: The Vote: A Statewide Conversation about Voting Rights.
Offering two pop-up exhibits that encouraged visitors to the grounds to peek through the windows and consider contemporary events through stories from Waltham’s past, adding cultural value to a nature walk. Stories developed for these exhibits on Waltham women suffragists and Stonehurst’s craftsmen will remain available on line as new additions to the website.
Releasing new stories and video clips on the unrecognized craftsmen like stone mason Barnie McCusker who helped create Stonehurst and represent cultures from around the world.
Low-tech public health solutions incorporated into the design of Stonehurst—terraces, porches, large open spaces with abundant windows and cross breezes—serve us well today as we face our own public health challenges. In-person field trips, weddings, proms and tours have resumed in these open, airy spaces, but it will take some time to build back up to previous levels.
Thank you for your help and support during these difficult times!