Major Bibliographic References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets) See continuation sheets Previous documentation on file (NPS) - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested - previously listed in the National Register - previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # Primary location of additional data - State Historic Preservation Office Other State agency Federal Agency x Local Government - University Other Name of Repository: Library and Hist. Commission NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.
1024-0018 Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 1 8. SIGNIFICANCE Robin Hill Cemetery qualifies for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C, with significance at the local level. The site may also have archaeological significance associated with unmarked graves and buried headstones. The period of significance extends from 1817 to 1954. The site possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. The cemetery qualifies for listing under Criterion A due to its strong association with the history of Marlborough, particularly the 19* century farming neighborhood in the remote northwest corner of the community.
It is was one of several neighborhood burial grounds established in the early 19th century that came under municipal jurisdiction after 1855, and is one of nine municipal cemeteries in Marlborough. It contains the graves of one Revolutionary War veteran, three Civil War veterans, and one World War II veteran. The cemetery also documents the 19* century social structure of the community, including the high rate of infant mortality. Like Weeks Cemetery it is distant from the central part of Marlborough and is one of the few older burying grounds in Marlborough to remain in active use today. Robin Hill meets Criterion C as a small 19* century burial ground that reflects the evolving design of cemeteries and funerary monuments in New England. It embodies the 19th century transition from informal burial ground to planned cemetery and is an early example of the use of family lots.
The simple receiving tomb is another expression of its 19"h century character. The predominantly marble headstones, and a few footstones, illustrate unpretentious mid-19" century styles, with epitaphs that express the sentimentality of that period. There are no family monuments. The cemetery meets Criteria Exception D because it has served continuously as a neighborhood burying ground in Marlborough from 1817 to the present, with most burials occurring in the 19" century. It includes the graves of approximately 27 residents of Marlborough and contains information that is not readily available elsewhere. The 1817 beginning date for the period of significance corresponds with the first documented burial, that of Willard and Luther Rice.
The 1954 termination date reflects National Register policy that properties with ongoing significance use a 50-year cut-off date unless events of unusual significance have occurred within the past 50 years. Marlborough, located approximately 28 miles west of Boston and 16 miles east of Worcester, was incorporated as a town in 1660. The small frontier community developed slowly at first because of conflicts associated with King Philip's War. After 1676 Marlborough grew steadily, reaching a population of 1,287 by 1765. Through the 18th century it remained primarily an agricultural community. The upland topography was particularly well-suited to raising cattle, grain and apples. Agriculture continued to be the major occupation in rural areas of town through the 19" century.
However after 1830 Marlborough developed a thriving shoe industry, which transformed it into one of the manufacturing capitals of New England. The rapidly growing industry brought need for additional labor, which resulted in an influx of immigrants, initially Irish, followed by French Canadians, and later by Italians, Greeks and Eastern European Jews. The town's population grew from 2,500 in 1836 to 13,609 in 1900. By 1890 the increasingly complex infrastructure necessitated the reorganization of the government and (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 2 Marlborough became a city.
In the 20 century, Marlborough has continued to grow, reaching a population of 31,800 by 1990, and has become a diversified residential, high-technology, and business city. Initially Marlborough's funerary needs were served by two burial ground located near the center of town. Spring Hill Cemetery (1675) and Old Common Cemetery (1706) met the needs of those living near town. As the population grew more dispersed, residents of outlying areas established informal family and neighborhood burial grounds. These included Wilson Cemetery (1764); Brigham Cemetery (1793); Chipman Cemetery (1813); Robin Hill Cemetery (1817); Weeks Cemetery (1837); and Maplewood Cemetery (1830s).
After 1855 all the neighborhood cemeteries were transferred to municipal ownership and new burial areas were established at Chipman (the new section, Rocklawn Cemetery, is the name by which the area is currently known) and at Maplewood, which served as Marlborough's primary cemetery during the latter part of the 19" century. In 1956 Evergreen Cemetery was established adjacent to Wilson. It continues to serve as the city's primary burial ground today. There are also two large late 19' century Catholic cemeteries, St. Mary's and Immaculate Conception, located adjacent to Brigham. Marlborough historian Charles Hudson, writing in 1862, summarized the status of the town's cemeteries at that time and described each. His cursory remarks about Robin Hill indicate that even then it was considered a small cemetery distant from the center of the community.
Cemeteries are becoming objects of attention in most of our towns; and their condition is being regarded as a sort of test of civilizations, in the best sense of that term. The gloom which has been spread over the resting-place of the departed, and the forbidding appearance of our churchyards, are giving place to a more rational feeling and a better taste. The increasing light of the Son of Righteousness has, in a good degree, dispelled the darkness of the tomb, and chased away the unearthly spectres, which were supposed to visit nightly the sepulchres of the dead. Christians of all denominations, are beginning to regard the burial-places of their friends, as peaceful shades to which they can profitably resort to muse in sweet melancholy upon the uncertainty of human life, and to call up anew the dear remembrance of departed friends.
Such views and feelings have created a disposition to beautify and adorn the ground where the dead are reposing. .. There is a small yard near Robin Hill school-house, where a few families have been buried. (Hudson, History of the Town of Marlborough, page 236-239) The two older municipal cemeteries (Spring Hill and Old Common) reflect their Colonial origins, with predominantly slate headstones laid out in irregular rows and a few later monuments. Although they are referred to as cemeteries today, both could best be characterized as burying grounds, with no formal design and few embellishments.
The four smaller neighborhood cemeteries (Brigham, Robin Hill, Weeks and Wilson) reflect the 19"h century transition from unadorned burial grounds to cemeteries, with spatial organization based on family lots (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 _Page 3 rather than individual graves; stones that display more sentimental imagery and iconography; and embellishments such as roads and plantings. Maplewood Cemetery began during the 1830s as a neighborhood cemetery but was greatly enlarged during the 1860s and displays the transition to the late 19' century style with smaller lots, machine-made monuments, and greater ethnic diversity.
Evergreen Cemetery reflects late-20" century burial styles and ideas. Robin Hill Cemetery began as a small neighborhood burial ground that served the adjacent farming community. It is likely that the first burials occurred without thought to the arrangement of the graves and that gridded lots were added some time around the 1840s. The receiving tomb probably dates to the middle of the 19"' century as well. The layout of the cemetery was documented by City Engineer Francis Granger in 1934 (see attached map) and has changed little since that time. Municipal records indicate that there were few expenditures at Robin Hill other than for an occasional mowing. The first confirmed burial occurred in 1817-1818 when four children were buried in the cemetery but there may have been earlier burials.
Then were no additional interments until the 1840s and after that burials occurred sporadically through 1880. There are several undated burials that probably occurred in the early 20" century and then six that have occurred between 1955 and the present. A small area has been set aside for residents of the neighborhood who wish to be buried here, but Robin Hill is not generally considered an active cemetery. Robin Hill Cemetery was the sixth of the nine municipal burial grounds to be established in Marlborough and at one acre is the second smallest. The number of confirmed burials, only 27, is the lowest for any burial ground in town. Other than the grid of lots, which are surprisingly well-planned for such a small cemetery, Robin Hill is typical of a small neighborhood cemetery with few embellishments.
It retains 19" century vernacular character in its spatial organization, topography, vegetation, circulation system and monumentation. There have been no known additions or deletions of land. While the cemetery retains a high level of integrity, the surrounding neighborhood does not. After centuries as a relatively isolated farming neighborhood, the northwest corner of the community changed dramatically in the late 20" century. Construction of Routes I-495 and I-290 in the 1970s altered the landscape around the cemetery almost beyond recognition, as fields and orchards were transformed into office parks and residential subdivisions. Old Common Cemetery is already listed on the National Register as part of the Marlborough Center Historic District (NRDIS 08/19/1998). The seven other municipal cemeteries established before 1900 are being nominated concurrently.
There are no plans to nominate Evergreen Cemetery, which was established in 1956. (end) Robin Hill Cemetery Name of Property 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property Lacre UTM References (place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1.19 286300 4693280 Zone Easting Northing 3. 19 Zone 2.19 Zone Easting Northing 4. 19 Zone Middlesex County, Massachusetts County and State Easting Northing Easting Northing - See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet) Boundary Justification (Describe why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet) 11.
Form Prepared By name/title_Shary Page Berg, preservation consultant, with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date July 2004 street & number220 Morrissey Boulevard telephone_617-727-8470 city or town Boston stateMA zip code 02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's locatio sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resource Phoegresentative black and white photographs of the property.
Additional Items (check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO) name City of Marlborough street and number City Hall, 140 Main Street telephone 508-460-3715 city or town Marlborough state MA zip code_01752 NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough, Middlesex County, MA Section number 9, 10, 12 Page 1 9. BIBLIOGRAPHY Publications Bimeoy, bilbhin. Ho., Ticai Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marhborough, Massachusers. Marborough: Forbes, Anne McCarthy. Marlborough Survey of Historic, Architectural and Cultural Resources, Narrative History. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1995. Hudson, Charles.
History of the Town of Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Boston: Press of T.R. Marvin and Son, 1862 Marlborough Historical Society. Cemetery Records. Marlborough, Massachusetts. Annual Reports. 1865 - 2001. Maps Granger, Francis J. Plan of Robin Hill Cemetery Showing Veterans Graves. City of Marlborough, 1934. Marlborough, Massachusetts. Assessor's Map 26 and 27. United State Geological Survey. Marlborough, Massachusetts, Topograhic Map, 1:25,000. 1983. (end) 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description Robin Hill Cemetery is a rectangular parcel bounded on the west by Donald Lynch Boulevard (formerly North Robin Hill Road); on the north by undeveloped land; on the east by access ramps between Routes 290 and 495; and on the south by an office building and day care center.
Boundary Justification The boundary encompasses a single parcel (assessors map 26, parcel 8) that includes the entire 1-acre cemetery established in the early 19" century. (end) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough, Middlesex County, MA Section number 9,10, 12 Page 2 12. LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS NR Photo # 1 2 3 Location/Description Date View from street showing western portion of cemetery with perimeter wall, receiving tomb, hill and white pines. Dutton headstone and post-1950 headstones are faintly visible on hillside. Southern entrance is at far right. 2/2002 View from hill looking east towards system of gridded lots, seven of which have visible headstones. Felton headstone and footstones are visible in the foreground.
2/2002 Headstones of the Rice family. Willard and Luther Rice were 2/2002 the first recorded burials in this cemetery. This style of headstone, with name in recessed panel, is commonly found throughout Marlborough's 19th century cemeteries. Photo by Shary Berg Shary Berg Shary Berg Robin Hill Cemetery Marlborough (Middlesex County), Massachusetts National Register District Data Sheet 2004 MHC# Photo# Map# HistoricName Description/Materials 1 2 Robin Hill Cemetery Perimeter Wall Receiving Tomb Fieldstone Earthen, granite face TOTALS: 1 contributing site, 2 contributing structures Date 1817- 19" cent mid-19 cent Status Contrib Contrib Contrib Type 1 Site 1 Structure 1 Structure N B ROBIN HILL CEMETERY MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS BURIAL DATA SHEET April 1, 2002 Family Lots East Side of Cemetery Carr Lot 1 small marble headstone Thomas Carr, Co. 1, 5" Mass Infantry. 4 flat granite markers H.
Howe E.Howe M.H. Frye/E. Frye Nellie A. Frye (1870 - 1949) - Cooke Lot 2 marble headstones Mrs. Sarah Cooke (d. 1847?, age 89) Ananias Cooke (d.1852, age 91) 1852 - Holman Lot 2 marble headstones/3 marble footstones Nathaniel Holman (d. 1880, age 67) Lucinda Holman (d. 1867, age 29) 1 slate headstone/1 slate footstone Amory Holman (d. 1844, age 3 yrs. 6 mos.) - Rice Lot 3 marble headstones Luther (d. 1817, age 6) and Willard (d. 1817, age 4) Rice Mrs. Lucinda Rice (d.1850, age 58) Levi Rice (d. 1860, age 70) Rich Lot 1 toppled and broken marble headstone Francis A. (d. 1851, age 3 yrs. 9 mos.) 1851 Wood Lot 12' marble obelisk Theodore D. Wood (d.1850, age 2 yrs. 7 mos.) 1850 Wright Lot 1 marble headstone Caroline H. Wright (d. 1852, age 4) N.D./19* cent. N.D./20" cent. N.D./20* cent. N.D./20" cent.
1949 1847 1880 1867 1844 1817 1850 1860 1852 Individual Burials East Side of Robin Hill - Felton 1 marble headstone & footstone (eroded) Addison (d. 1818?, age 8) & Lydia Felton (d. 1818?, age 6) 1818? Individual Burials West Side of Robin Hill - Dutton 1 marble headstone (military insignia) N.D./19* cent Benjamin A. Dutton - Recent burials 6 low granite and bronze, various styles 1955-1999 6 members of Gregson, Lee, O'Leary families including Robert F. O'Leary, Tech 5 US Army World War II (1928-1999) Total: 24 headstones, 5 footstones, 27 identified burials North is to the right. The gridded lots are at the bottom, but only those with monuments are shown. The Felton monument is just above the gridded lots; Benjamin Dutton's grave is above that; and the receiving tomb is located at the top, adjacent to the street. All monuments extant in 1934 still exis today.
The only change has been the addition of 6 post-1955 headstones to the left (south) of the Benjamin Dutton monument and the realignment of the road further away from the cemetery.
RIço Halman oml Plan ROBIN HILL CEMETERY SHOWING VETERANS GRAVES =Revolutionory Wor - = Civil War September 1934 J.Francis Gronger Scale lin.-20rL City Engineer ROBIN HILL STREET UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE JATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACE VALUATION/RETURN SHEE' REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Robin Hill Cemetery NAME : MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: 8/16/04 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 10/01/04 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 9/16/04 9/29/04 REFERENCE NUMBER: 04001083 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: REQUEST: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: VACCEPT N RETURN REJECT 9/029/04 DATE ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: Entond in the National Bepisie RECOM.
/CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE TELEPHONE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS. ROBIN HILL CEMETERY Robin Hell Cemetem, Marlborough, Middlesex Co, MA Photo #1 Robun Hill Cernetey. Marlbarough, Middlesex Co, MA Photo"2 LOTHEE ied Dec. 27.1S17 Et. WILI A +Tiedl Dee. lyrs E.ISJF THOS Sons of Le Tnrinnla 1: MEILTGTLAI wife of LEVI RICE. fied Judy t7. ISF0 Et.as Robmn Hill Cemetem, Marlboraugh, MiddleserCo, MA photo #3 SEE SHEET 25 E $71,500 MARL MARLBO Assobar 1900 ö) River 24 190 BIGELOW See Plate 25 Porcel 4A ST.
120 AcRes Robin Hill Marlbonua 23 27.75 Acres cosenar 2 DEE OHET/' 1 3,300 ENGLANC 26 7.43 AcR6s 21-A 25 xun 180.11 LYNCH Ta7.00 ---248.57-195 50 _MEM ISTMEL 29U00N 22 3.89 Acass 16655 256 Acens 22-A 10017 2-B 1.408 accl 1,075.71 SEE SHEET 30 # 405.900 21.02 Aere 1621 BOULEVARD ACCEIS EASEMENT INTERSTATE BIGELOW 27 s0' R.O.W. 12,253+ 1SG ACTe 32 22.30 Amar 40 13409 Robin Hill Cemetery 6.27 Acre SEE SHEET 29 18780 -290 201:046T7 252661 198 680 1563 13-1 :19-4 BERLINRP 18 15,950 ED% O10 M9, 5099 52,59,0 17 26,1009 20:4. 300 erce -NTERSTATE- BEE SHEET 26 $74,500 ..M.. Tm 1598A 100,372° MLLN BERLIN T60, XS7A000 20,000 abin Hill narlborouah 1A7 dess im
173 1-8 3406 «3 ° ROAD 5-8 1.14A 4-e acre Cemetem Middlesex vR2 nominann CO, MA 2 0/ 2 5ie 108120.30 ste 173100.40 2 SEE SHEET 14 N 497,500 500 Plate 15 Parcel 16 48416 Aereol Se0 Plato 15 Parcel 5 57.3 Acres 30- 290 INTERSTATE - PLATE C PGI VO4a 082453 3543585 358 Seo Plate 40 Porcel 0 .7 Aereel 18 Acral 134aa5) 12,0000 SHEET 40 N 195,500 se Plete Parcel u 1.00 See Plete 40, Parçal I3 1.2T Acras 13615* CENSE PETTOCRAC SID LIRERTANOY The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission RECEIVED 2280 AUG | 6 2004 NAT. REGISTER TEAL PAIIS SENCELACES August 13, 2004 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, NW 8' floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms.
Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form: Robin Hill Cemetery, Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough (Middlesex), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of the property were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30 to 45 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Five letters of support have been received. Sincerely, Betoy Fuedkerg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure cc: Shary Page Berg, consultant Gary Brown, Lynn Faust, Marlborough Historical Commission Dennis Hunt, Mayor, City of Marlborough Alfred Lima, Marlborough Planning Director 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc AELTBORO TEE TOWN 1660.
CITY OF MARLBOROUGH MAYOR DENNIS C. HUNT 140 Main Street Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 Tel. (508)460-3770Facsimile (508) 460-3698 TDD (508) 460-3610 May 7, 2004 Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 Dear Ms. Friedberg, The City of Marlborough participated in the Cemetery Initiative that the Department of Environmental Management conducted. Because of that project, the City next pursued a grant to have these cemeteries listed in the National Register. I have received notice that at its June 9, 2004 meeting, the Massachusetts Historical Commission will be reviewing the City of Marlborough's Request to have seven (7) historic cemeteries included in the National Register Listing. I would like to express my support for this project. Cemeteries have always served as one of the community's most valuable resources.
It would seem in this day and age that cemeteries have lost much of their significance. But further exploration would dispute that.
From the people who come from all over the country to research their family trees, realizing that their ancestors settled this community and helped it to grow and prosper and while some stayed and continued their role in this community, others moved on to settle throughout the rest of the country; to the schoolchildren who learn a respect and awareness of history from their tours and research in these cemeteries; to the veterans who visit frequently to pay their respects to the country's heroes; to the neighborhood residents and the community at large who walk through the cemeteries pausing to reflect at various headstones, sometimes cleaning around a site, but taking the few moments to reflect on the peace and stillness that gives them a brief respite from the hustle and stress of their lives, these cemeteries have an impact.
The City of Marlborough has begun a pro-active role in the preservation of its cultural and historical assets through acquiring open space parcels and developing preservation and maintenance plans for its resources. Several Boy Scouts have done or will be doing a status inventory of individual cemeteries for their Eagle Scout projects. Each Boy Scout chooses a cemetery and they inventory each headstone - inscriptions, condition of stone, composition of stone - and also make general notes on the cemetery grounds. Since time can have such a devastating effect on the headstones, the City and its Cemetery Division will be able to take this inventory and use it to address the most urgent needs. The cemeteries in Marlborough reach out to many people - those who come to trace their roots and learn about their families, the schoolchildren, the veterans and the community at large.
They provide a real sense of history in Marlborough. Betsy Friedberg May 7, 2004 Page 2 The City of Marlborough takes great pride in its cemeteries and the history reflected there. Listing these cemeteries is another way of expressing our pride while providing a part that is often required for grants that we might seek to help in the special maintenance and repairs at the cemeteries. I thank you for this opportunity and hope that you will approve this project.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely yours, Term c Hunt Mayor ARMBORO 1890. $2 CITY OF MARLBOROUGH Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 HISTORICAL COMMISSION May 11, 2004 Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 Dear Ms. Friedberg, We in Marlborough are fortunate to have our historic cemeteries and burial grounds in a wonderful state of preservation.
Some of the stones date from the late 1600s and early 1700s and look as if they had been carved recently. The grave markers bear the names of many of our founding fathers and veterans of the Revolutionary, Civil and all other wars. They are a written history of this community. Those citizens who visit our historic burial grounds for the first time are invariably impressed. It is fun to take groups through them and point out who, what, where and why they are important. You can see the various motifs of the carvers. We who appreciate our history are very proud of these cemeteries. We who take the time to honor our fallen veterans are pleased that our City government throughout our history has cared for these hallowed grounds. I fully support the efforts to have our historic cemeteries placed on the National Register. This will help many others to be grateful for their existence.
Sincerely yours, Gary Brown Chairman RTBOROWOE RECEIVED JN 03 2004 MADLIMA HIST. COMT Director CITY OF MARLBOROUGH PLANNING DEPARTMENT 140 Main Street Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 Tel (508)460-3799 Facsimile (508) 460-3698 TDD (508) 460-3610 May 13, 2004 Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, Massachusetts 02125 Dear Ms. Friedberg: I wish to convey my strong support for the nomination of seven historic cemeteries in the City of Marlborough to the National Register of Historic Places. The elevation of these cemeteries to the Register will assist in implementing the city's planning objectives. One of the action items in the 2002 Marlborough Master Plan is to advance the preservation of the city's historic cemeteries through the development of preservation plans and the pursuing of National Register designation.
The City was awarded a technical assistance grant from the Department of Environmental Management to develop a framework for the preservation of these sites, and this initiative has assisted in guiding the City's maintenance of these cemeteries. Clearly, the preservation of Marlborough's historic cemeteries will advance other goals of the master plan, including the preservation of the community's character and its quality of life. The nomination of these sites to the National Register will advance the preservation of these important historic resources. Aodtima Direutor ofPlanning and Community Development NR file Murborough Historical Society, Tuc P.O. Box 513 Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752-0513 May 20, 2004 Peter Rice Homestead - 377 Elm Street RECEIVED NAY 25 2004 MASS. HIST. COMM Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Hictorical Commission 220 Morrisey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 Dear Ms.
Friedberg: On behalf of the Marlborough Historical Society I would like to express my support for the listing on the National Register of Historic Places the seven historically significant cemeteries in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Marlborough being among this nation's earliest incorporated townships (1660), its rich history was built by the very men and women who lay to rest in our honored cemeteries. The recognition they deserve warrants such a listing in our Nationai Registry. Not only for the expressed purpose of recognition of the cemeteries and those who are buried there, however, do I support such an effort. Rather, 1 feel that a listing on the National Register of Historic Places fosters within a given town or city a greater awareness of and appreciation for other historic preservation efforts and projects.
To me, it is an often-needed catalyst to better, more thoughtful decision making. I thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Efllinla Richard Wilcox Curator C: Gary Brown, Chairman, Marlborough Historical Commission TTTIINOROLGTI + TOWN 0691 660 + A CITY OF MARLBOROUGH Department of Public Works Office of the Commissioner 135 Neil Street Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 (508) 624-6910 Ext. 7200 Facsimile (508) 624-7699 TDD (508) 460-3610 May 25, 2004 Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 Dear Ms. Friedberg, I am pleased to offer my support to the City of Marlborough request to have its 7 cemeteries listed on the National Register. As the Commissioner ofthe Department of Public Works, it is my responsibility to see that these historic resources are properly maintained.
With the ever-increasing demands on municipal budgets, it is a challenge to meet this standard with the limited funds we are annually given to do so. I am extremely proud of the fact that these cemeteries are in remarkable condition in spite of our limited maintenance resources and we hope to continue meeting our charge in that regard. Listing in the National Register symbolizes the City of Marlborough's commitment to its historic resources. As part of this commitment the City continually researches ways to gain additional funding for special projects for these cemeteries. As an example, funds from the grant used to prepare this application, also allowed us to prepare mini-preservation and maintenance plans for the cemeteries. The purpose of these plans is to provide efficient cost-effective guidance to the community for the care of its historic cemeteries.
There are few greater opportunities for reflection than a walk through an historic burial ground as you ponder the names, dates and inscriptions on the stones and what life was like when these people lived in our community. Betsy Friedberg Massachusetts Historical Commission May 25, 2004 Page 2 As the custodian of these sites, I have a great responsibility to not only the current residents but also to those people who lived here helping our community grow and prosper and are now buried in our cemeteries. What better way to show honor and respect than to have these cemeteries listed on the National Register I appreciate this opportunity to offer my support to this request. Sincerety yours, Ronald LaFreniere Commissioner
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