MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Delabarre, E.B. Dighton Rock, a Study of the Written Rocks of New England. New York, 1928. Hurd, D.H. History of Bristol County. Philadelphia, 1883. Pohl, Dr. Frederick. The Viking Explorers. New York, 1966. WPA. Massachusetts. Boston, 1937.
10 GEOGRAPHICALDATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES R CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 41° 48 46 71° " 06' » 38 NE SE SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: less than one acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTVES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: STATE: STATE: PFCELY ARH 12 7971 NATIONAL MEGISTER CODE COUNTY: CODE CODE COUNTY: 00 CODE CODE COUNTY: CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Richard W. Hale, Jr., Acting Chairman ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Office of the Secretary, State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston 2.
STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION DATE March 30, 1971 STATE Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION CODE 25 As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State Local I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. auet a Cimnallu Chief, Office of Archeolggy 11 Historic Proservationt Name plattNar ecretary of the Commonwealth Mass. Historical Title Commission Date ATTEST: mmla ational Register Date March 30, 1971 Date M advance Nosxcuatio 4/1/11 Dighton Rock Brista Co. Vlass.
70.720.0007 1 3/1/20 8/2/11 4/13/71 hoto of sluphs world have deen nece. "Object" shoald be cheched, not site." Moves ne qee. Dorttleas sifnif. as olyeo - Corld he ajain. flace parthe to seoze to ele See attached note. 4/26/11 * 1 hove a saueo in propei interesetaton. 5v17-71 witkautseeix foum signed hy Keepe-of This is going to be a tough one to wite 5/21/1, 4,12.71,1 RECEiVED AFR 12 1971 NATIONAL REGISTE 61L # 10 Berkley Dighton Rock Viw of Rock in surroundings, view froru southeast. Pholo: Com NPS Munber 70- 7:25-0007 Title: Dezhten Rock UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 4oc. Bratel Co., Maso STATE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Mass.
COUNTY PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM Bristol (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) FOR NPS USE OI ENTRY NUMBER NAME 10-1-20-0007 COMMON: Dighton Rock AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION In Dighton Rock State Park STREET AND NUMBER: A landfill bounded on the north, west, south by the Taunton Ri CITY OR TOWN: the east by chain: and post fence in approximate location of original river bar Berkley STATE: Mass. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: Department of Natural Resources NEGATIVE FILED AT: March, 1971 Department of Natural Resources IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. CODE COUNTY: 25 Bristol RECEIVED 22 19/1 5. View of Rock in its surroundings, from the southeast NATIONAL REGISTER 16 IForm 10-301 (Dec.
1968) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Mass. COUNTY Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER 20. 1.20.000 DATE 1,130 NAME COMMON: Dighton Rock AND/OR HISTORIC: LO in Dighton Rock State Park STREET AND NUM BER: A landfill bounded on the north, west, south by the Taunton River, on the east by chain and post fence in approrimate location of original river bank. CITY OR TOWN: Berkley STATE: Mass. CODE COUNTY: 25 Bristol CODE 005 MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U.S.G.S. Assonet SCALE: Scale: 1:24,000 DATE: 1963 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. PECEIVEII P 19 1071 NATIONAL REGISTER 161T8 Segte -COUNTY" B (SOMERSET) FALL RIVER (U.S.
6) 629 28 PLFA- T GZT RIVER BM 25% Conspiracy Sandy Pt ER = S:0 ON Winsiow Pt NEW YORK set Peters Pt PÍPELINE Dighton Grassy M19 ST.0 6'3g0 Jighton: Rock 40 981464 ROCY / Pichia STATT PART Areall Hospital H) BERKLEY DIGHTON ROCK U.S.G.S. ASSONET Scale: 1:24,000 1963 BAYVIEW -RIVER- :/ -ASSONET BM 76X L-BRYANT N/WW ant ST 0155 750. HiI Roagdiga Park4=e J Grável Pit ca 56/% Welch, FRIEND ST- Old Quakeri- Cem NORTH INTERCHANGE(35 RECÊIVED APk 12 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER Golf Course Assonet Bay Shores
NARROW Assonet RD Gravet 22 Gravel Pit Gravely Pit "BRYANTS **Gravel Pit INTERCHANGE 36 F Roadside "Par) 29% &Gravel Pits o , Gravet 2pit 100 8 RIPELINE PLÉASANT: A Assonet Roadside *Park Assonet-Burying -- Ground - St Bernards Wenton=era3 *Grave Pits NEW HAYEN E Terry 00- *Gem -F 122 (net a con TO SECRETAR) MAY1 1 1960 FOR SIGNATURE ADVANCE COPY MAY 13 1960 150-IBH FARKS T0: FROM: COVERING BRIEF The Assistant to the Presiient Ac UNg Secretery of the Interior mas! Problem: To reply to the letter of May 3 from Dr.
Manuel Luciano da Silva, Secretary-Tzeasurer of the liguel Corte Real Konorial Society, Inc., New Bedford, Massachusetts, esking Ior American recognition of the Importance of Dichton Rock and suggesting a statewent by the President on the subject, possibly at the cele- bration in honor of Prince Henry the Navigator in Lisbon, Portugal, during the President's proposed visit to Portugal. Discussion: Tbe Dighton Rock 1s e gray, massive, sandstone rock of about 400 cubic feet in content, weighing about 40 tons, oz the eastern bank of the Taunton River within the Tovn of Berkley and County of Bristol, Massachusetta. It appears to bear Inotar ausd-other inseriptions, ertortr to decipher which have been repeatedly nade since 1680. It has been clalned by soze that it bears the name of the Portuguese explorer Miguel Corte Real (Cortereal), the date 1511, and the Portuguese coat of aras.
The lnct that 600 or more articles or books, diseussing the Rock and its weaning, have been written in several langusges is indicative of the complicated nature and importance of the problen. As yet, scholars aze not agreed. The Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Bufldings, and Monunents, created under the authority of the Hletoric Sites Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat, 656), tooks the view in 1952 that the problem remains unsolved. Iuplezentation: Il you sign the attached letter and Dr. da Silva senaa the 20-page hisüorical report he hes offered to send, the report can be forvarded to the National Fark Service, which vill be ¿led to study it ard keep it ou file with other data reisting to the Rock. Reconendation: That the attached draît of a letter be used in replying to Di- da Silva (Teb A)- Copy to: DCCO Asst. Sec., Pub. Lend Mgut. (SGD) FRED G.
AANDABL Divisicn of Legislation Under Sacretary Reglona1 Dtrector, Regdoa Five ) NPS Planning Each with copy of incoring Branch of History CWBorter: meh 5/10/60 PRS 9433 Dear Dr. da Silva: Fresident Eisenhover appreciates your letter of May 3 to'him with enclosure regariing the importance of Dighton Rock on the Taunton River in Berkley, Messachusetts, as vell as your interest in his proposed visit to Portugal and his efforts to foster international good will. While the President bas not personslly uade a study of the faseinating problen afforded by the.inscriptions on Dighton Rock, the Natlonal Park Service of the Department of the Interior nade such & study in 1952 on the basis of which the Advisory Board on Natlonel Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments pessed the following resolution st its meeting in Washington, D.
Co, on Hovember 17-18 of that year: "The Advisory Board having considered the fascinsting problen presented by the inseribed Dighton Rock in Berkley, Magsechusetts, and having found that the researches of Frofessor Delabarre betveen 1919-28, identlfying 'certoin narkings es Fortuguese, have as yet not been generally accepted, belleves that juag- aent in the case should be susperded until new tech- niques are devised for recoriiug the rarkings on the rock or weys and weans found to peralt & satisfactory "exomination o" the inscriptions now exposed for only a short tine at low tide.
In the weantine, it is the view oi the Board that the Old Colony Historical Society and the Stste of Massachusetts rather than the Federal Governnent should preserve the rock and protect it from vandals, so fer as possible." It appeara Izom this that the Federal Government cannot very well give special recognition to the Dighton Rock at this tine because general agreenent does not exist anong scholars in this Country regarding the significance of the Hotk. For the sane reason, the President could not express an American point of view on the subject at the forthcoming celebrations in Lisbon without beconing involved in possible controversy. About all he say is that ve are keenly interested in the historic poastbil1- ties afforded by the inscriptions on the Rock and sre continuing to study them.
In this connection, we shall be glad to have a copy of the 20-pege historical report which you offer to send us. We vant to give all possible honor to the important contri- butions of Prince Henry the lavigator and Miguel Corte Real whose achievements are genuinely appreciated by the Auerican people. Sincerely yours, The Assistant to the Fresident Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva Secretary-Ireasurer, Miguel Corte Real Memorial Society, Inc. P. O. Box 648 New Bedford, Massachusetts Dear De. da Silva: We deaply appreciate your letter of June 30 with its acconpanying report in further support of the request made in your letter of May 3 to President Blaenhower asking for Presidentfal jecognltlon of the importance of Dighton Rock, Berkley, Massachusetts. The report and recent historical literatuze dealing with the Dighton Rock have been studied with care.
It would appeax that scholars in this Country and abroad have not yet agreed on the true meaning and significance of the Rock, In the circumetances, it would be premature for the President of the United States to publicly vistt it and malse a statement of his ovn regarding 1ts historical importance, althoush the kind invitation to male the visit is appreciated. For the same reason, the Federal Goverrment ie unable at thís time to participate in the plan of preservation recoumended on pages 50-55 of the report, which would provide for e cofferdai, monumentation, landscaping, and museus developments at the site. Ve aro interested that the Internatlonal Congress to be held in Lisbon in Septenber 1960 is expected to go into the history of the Dighton Rock inscriptlons.
It is our hope that the discussion in Portugal may zesult in throving additional light on the fascinating problem which the markings on the Rock afford. Sincerely yours, The Assistant to the President Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva Secretary-Ircasurer, Migval Corte Real Memorial Society, Inc. P. 0. Box 648 New Bedford, Massachusetts 15 FOR SIGNATURE ADVANCE COFX 1.58-IBN PARKS JUL 18 1960 COVERING BRIER TO: The Assistant to the President PRONSIST gecrotary of the intertofSeD) FRED G. AANDAHL Problen: To reply to the letter of June 30 from Dr.
Manual Luciano da Silva, Secretary-Ireasuser of the Miguel Corte Real Menorial Society, Inc., Now Bedford, Massachusetts, in further referenco to his letter of May 3 to Presidont Eisenhover asking fox American recognition of the importance of Dishton Bock and Inviting the President to visit the Rock on August 20 fox the purpose of viewing the inscriptions and issuing his own opinion zegarding the Rock'o significance, presunably for the purpose oi encouraging its preservation through the Federal Covernment. Discussion: The Dighton Rock is a gray, massive, sandstone rock of about 480 cubic feet in content, weighing about 40 tons, on the eastern bank of the Taunton River vithin the Town of Berkley, Massachusetts. It appears to bear Indian and other inscriptions, efforts to decipher which have been repeatedly nade since 1630.
It has been claimed by some that it bears the name of the Portuguese explorer Miguel Corte Real (Cortereal), the date 1511, and the Portuguese coat of arma. About 600 or nore articles or books, discussing the Rock and Its meaning, have been written in several languages and have arrived at widely different conclusions over the years. Ite Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monunents, created under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat, 665), con- cluded in 1952 that the riddle of the Rock remained unsolved. An important otudy, 'The Enigna of Dighton Rock," in Anerican Heritare, Juze 1953, pp. 62 et seg-, showa that scholars are still in disagreement. Imolementation: The National Park Service w1l1 be glad to file the report with Service data on Dighton Rock, if so desired.
Recommendation: That the attached draft of a letter be used in repiying to Dr. da Silva (Tab A). Copy to: DCCO Regional Director, Reg. Five LM NPS Planning DL Wifanch of History US S Each w/c of inc. CWPorter:meh 7-13-60 PRS 09 Sluely zosiii, jala? masa. Qle i+ p8 L58-HH March 1, 1968 Dr. Menuel Luciano da Silva Bristol County Medical Center 1180 Hope Street Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 Deaz Dr. da Silva: On behalf of Vico President lumhrey, thank you for your recent letter concerning Dighton Bock in Berkley, Massachusetts. Historic sites and buildings established as units of the National Park System wust be judged to possess national historical signi- ficance and to meot standards of suitability and feasibility for park purposes as well. Legislation in the Congress is ordinarily required to authorize the establishment of areas administered by the National Park Service.
The deternination of national historícal significance is made by the Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Historic Sites Aet of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666). Sich deterainations are usually based on the recommendations of the Secretary's Advisory Doard on National Parks, Ilstoric Sites, Buildings, and Monuments. The Advisory Board considorod Dighton Rock in 1952 and concluded that its preservation should be the responsibility of the Old Colony Historical Society and the Cormonwealth of Massachusetts rather than the Federal Government. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P. l. 89-665), which authorizes matching grants for historic preservation projects, nay eventualiy be a source of financial assistance for the preserva- tion of Dighton Rock.
To assure that proper consideration is given to its inclusion on the National Register, you may wish to get in touch with the State Liaison Officer naned by the Governor of Massachusetts to carry out the Stato's responsibilitios under P. L. 89-665. Ho is the Hon. John F. X. Davoren, Secretary of the Consonwealth, Chairuan, Nassachusetts Historical Corission, Boston, Massachusetts 02135. We appreciate your continuing interest in the preservation of Dighton Rock, and we wore glad to supply this infornation to you. Sincerely yours;: "*!) IS/ ROI_TI M. UIIuL Robert M. Utley Chief Historian CC: Regional Director, NE w/c inc. /HH - w/c inc. HHP - Mr. Sarles w/c inc. FBSarles:mg ENSE RETERMLACIDNT LSVB LIBEAT John F. X. Davoren Pecretary of the Commonvealth The Commonvealth of Massachusetts Offece of the Searehny Fed. Keg. Peate House, Boston 02133 June 4, 1970 TT HAILL Dr.
William Murtagh RECENED Keeper of the National Register Department of the Interior JUN 11 1970 801 19th Street NJ NATIONAL Washington, D.C. 20006 - REGISTER Dear Dr. Nurtagh: LOT Ta)) In Massachusetts we wish to avail ourselves of pre-submission of state-owned properties for the hegister. These four properties have been passed on by the Massachusetts Historical Conmission at their March 17 meeting. 1. Quincy Homestead, 34 Butler Road, Quincy, Norfolk County, which is already a state landmark 70.7.20.0005 2. Plymouth Rock, Water Street, Plymouth, Plymouth County. This is already pert of the Cole's Hill National Landmark, but should, for obvious reasons be separately listed in the legister. Then come two properties which are not located by streets, but which can be located by latitude and longitude. 70.700.000b 3. Moswetusset Hunmock, Quincy, Norfolk Counti, 42 deg.
17 20 N, 71 1 20 W, the Indian seaside site which, with a change in spelling, gave the Commonwealth itsname. eet nartheast of intersection iuitt (60) cotton nather transered them ightn ate2th sotue, Bayviewo ave. in State Pal mile wvest of These sites are in the following Congressmens' districts: 1, Quincy- Representative James 4. Burke Plymouth-Representative Hastings Keith 3, Quincy- Representative Burke 4, Dighton--Representative Margaret Heckler nec FNH/s Iours sincerede Kickad Wi Vabe /s 1ichara Hale, Acting chairman Massachusetts Historical Conmission I luluaree Honiration rusa 6/11/70 OK 4/18/10 Ok 7/p4/70 6/24/10 Chamlen 4/25/30 RECENED Jun 11 370 NATIONAL REGISTE! 8/4/70 6.11:201- Gll'703f 3 H3O-LR JUL 6. 1970 Hon, John P. X. Devoren Secretary of the Comsonesith Cheizmen Massachusette Ilistorical Conniaaion Boston, Hassachusetts 02133 Dear Ir.
Devorent We are plessed to infor you that the ifatorte propertles 11steå on the enelosure have been placed on the fational Register of itiatoric PLeces. Senators Edvard M, Kennedy and Edvard W. Brooke and the appropriete Representatives have also been notitled. Plesse with- hold any publteity on this until you have received a carbon eopy or the Congressional correspondence. Sineerely yours, Sgud Eamnest Allen Connally Chiet, Office of Archeology ond Ilistorie Preservation JUL 1 1970 Enelosure Satered in the Metionel Register cc: (HR RGamble :mm 6/26/70 BASIC FILE RETAINED IN HR Properties edded to the Ietionel Regteter o2 #tatorienl Plsces MASSACHUSERYS Quiney Homesteed Plymouth Roek Hoswetusset Iunmock Digaton Rockc Iorfolk County, Massachusette Plymouth County, Masaschusetta Nortolk County, Massachusetts Brletol County, Messschusette 3 an Chamben -/21/7 ( BratolG.
MarCemally11 Twionl 1/4 ulu 7-9 JUL 14 . 1970 Eoto ?/vo/30 frem P2X 113 Hon, Mergsret M. Heekler House of Representatives Weshington, D. C. Deat Mrs. Heekler: We are pleased to infore you that Dighton Rock in Bristol Courty, Massechusetts, has been nominated by the Btate Ifaieon Offlcer appointed by the Governor for the implenentation of the Notionai Historie Preservation Progrem in Mesachusetts and has been entered into the lletional Register of Itetorie Places. Senatora Bâverd M. Kennedyand EdverdW. Brooktehaveele0 been provided with this Infornation. By cogy of thie letter, the State Idaison Oflicer, Hon. John I. X. Davoren, Secretary or the Cormonvesith, Cheizunn, Massseinsetts Iistorical Couisnion, Boston, Messechusetts 02133, has I1kewise been notifled. A leaflet expleining the Iintional Register is enclosed. -Melvin BASIC 6/26/70 RGamble gam H3O-HR Sincerely yours, (SGD) GEORGE B.
HARTZOG, JR. Director JUL 1 1970 Enelosure Entered in the Intionel Regieter cc: Hon. Jonn F. X. Davoren, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston, Massachusetts 02-53 Director, lortheestResion JATE URRTNTE John F. X. Davoren lecretary of the Commonrocalih The Commonvcalih of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Puate Hlouse, Boston 02133 July 16, 1970 Miss Elizabeth Dipple Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service Department of the Interior 801 19th Street, N. W. Washington, D. C., 20006 Dear Miss Dipple: This is to confirm the data I telephoned to you. Moswetusset Hummock's address is Squantum Street, Quincy, about 1000 feet northeast of its intersection with Mor- rissey Boulevard. Dighton Rock:. Dighton Rock State Park, Berkeley, one mile west of Bay View Avenue.
Also enclosed is a photocopy of the clipping from the Worcester Telegram about Elm Park, about which I spoke to you. It reached me by chance from friends in Worcester. Thank you for your help on this. Sincerely, Qubodule Richard W. Hale Jr. Acting Chairman Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure RWH/st (DVISION SUR HH OF TISTON RATE A6435-IT. DUL21 1970 Hrs l! Hon. Claiborne Foll United States Sonate waahington, D.G. Dear Senator Fell: Thani you for your recent letter on behalf of Mias M. Ida Sousa concerning the need for archoological investigatlons at beshton The enigra ot Dighton and appeala for recogaition oï iù as being of natfonal bistorical significance have been presented to the Dopartent of the Interior on a uuaber of occasions during recent yeurs.
Unfortunately, according to archeological experto vho have studied the carvings, there can ba no certaluty of 1ts historical value despito the Porbaguego Chronicles which indieato that it could have boen possible for Mamuel Cortereal to have inscribed the rock in 1521. Vithout reaconable suthentscation, ve feci that ustlonal recognitilon vould be prenature. Such was in port the opinton of the sdrisory Board 1n 1992. With these condi tlons, archeological investigations under the segla of the Vodera) covernaent coula not be varranted. As an alternative approsch, we would suggest an effort by the citiz of Mossaciusetts to have Dighton focit entered in the list of hiator cul landoazks for the Connonvesith. Thta would fal) under the pud of the lonorable John P. %.
Davoren, Secretary of the Coronealen, Chatrann, Massachusetts Historical Conalaston, Boston, Massachuse wta- Ve hope that these views vill be of soge valus in your reply to Hisa Sousa. Sincerely yours, CAYTuL Director Eaclosure (Constituent's letter returned) cc: CI, lx. Holley )w/c of inc. Dir., Northeast HA, Mr. Sudderth) II, Mr. Melvin FNP:WESudderth:1wt:7-16-70 CL-5220 NP-lasa, SENIE BETO CPLACTRAT John F. X. Davoren Secretany of the t ommonvent The Commonwealih al Massachusetts Cfice of the Secretary Puate Hlouse, Boston 02133 April 8, 1971 The Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service 801 19th Street, N.W. Washington, D. Co 20006 Attention:Mrs.
Sally Marusin REGISTERED MAIL Dear Sirs, Enclosed are National Register submissions for: Dighton Rock Old Barnstable Jail Quincy Homestead Margaret Fuller House Cambridge Neighborhood House RECÊIVED APR 12 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER OITEITS These have been declared eligible for submission by the kaknachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth, John F. X. Davoren, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated the State Liaison Officer. Sincerely yours, RWH: aw Sihnid W. Htale fu Richard W. Hale, Jr. Acting Chairman Massachusetts Historical Commission APR 12 1971 Tlene is consideratle matenial on Digliton Rock in tti files o the hational burve. O 8 Hitome Sites + Beuldingo, accached is pant of Edwin smal lis napont 810/18/52, the inventorfle fom 2=/20/59, and parto o pertevent convrespondence.
balame o the Suve in my Tfice ar tha d fale, weludig plato, sheteles, ete, is Small's repont does an efeclenr fol in simming up tie proclcno. hote especiall. Bnerciled Parht, bongidenteD tonmente in pos 5-6 Pespate the fact and its potential signifwell le local Indian petroglyplis, me forundiietiig carly European, ete, exploratión oitus area unvealijed, I beloue we should approne Te nomination. Aesices, after almost 300 Hone las almost lecome lustone in its our - yeur of atterition, the maglit! eelbatanach, 517171 -111 JUL 7 19/1 130-HR Ion. John P. X. Davoron Secretary of the Coronwealth Chairaan, Massachusetts Histozical Comlesion Offica of the Secrotazy State Housa Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Dear Nr. Davoren: le are ploased to inform you that the historie properties listed on the enclonure have beon placed on the National Rogister of Bistoric Places. Senators Edward N.
Tennedy and Rövard I. Brooke and tho approprlate Representatives aro being infornod. A leaflet exglaining the National Register 1s enclosed for each of the property omers. Ploase withhold any publicity on thin until you bave zecoived a carbon copy of the Congrestional corzespondence. Sincezely yours, (Signod) Direator Enclosures JUL 2 1971 Intered in tho tational Register CC : HR PDfexrick:rm 6/28/71 BASIC FILE RETAINED IN HR Properties added to the National Register of fistoric Places MASSACTUSETTS.. Cambridge Neighborhood Touse "Old Jail" Puller (Margazet) Houso Dighton Rock Miadlesex County Cambridge, Massachusetts Farnstable, Massechusetts Middlesex County Canbxidge, Massachusetts Bristol County Berkley, Massachusetts cc: Director, Northeast Region BASIC FILE RETAINED IN HR 6/28/71 HR PDHerrick:mm 4(2)(^) JUL 7 19/1 H30-HR Hon. Edvard M. Kennedy Onited Staten Senate Kashington, D.C.
Dens Senator Kennedy: We are pleased to infom you that the historio proparties listed on the enclosure have been noninated by the Stato biaison Ofiicor appointed by the Goveznos for che implenentation of the kationsl Iistoric Preservation Program in Massachusetro and have been entared into tho latlonal Register of Bletozlo Placee. Senator Edward W. Brooke and the approprlate Ropresentatives have also beon provided with this inforation. Dy copy of this lotter, the State lisison Offlcer, lon. John P. X. Davozen, Secrotary of tho Comonwaalth, Chaizman. Massachusetts Historical Comiesion, Offlco of the Secretary, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133, ras Iitevise beon notified. A leallot explaining the National Xegister 1s erclosed. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Director Enclosures JUL 2 1971 Entered in the Nacional Rogister ca: Hon. John F. X.
Davoren, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Comnission, Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Also notified: Hon. Edward W. Brooke United States Senate Hon. Thomas P. O'Neill, JI. Hon. Hastings Keith Fon. Margaret M. Heckler Properties added to the fatiional Register of llistoric Placos HASSACEUSETTS Canbriäge Neighborhood House "Old Jail" Fullez (Margaret) House +Dighton Bocl Miadlesen County Cambridge, Massachusetts Barnstable, Massachugetts Hiddleser County Cambridge, Massachusetts Bristol County Berkley, Massachusetts From report on Dighton Rock by Edwin W.Small, 10/15/52 V Confidential Data A. Suggested development: No development is suggested or recommended exclusive of the possi- bilities for preservation which have been discussed under: IV, F.
The present holdings of the Old Colony Historical Society of Taunton are adequate to provide a right-of-way to the rock and for possession of the rock itself. These requirements are the maximum so long as the rock is to be considered primarily an object of archaeological or scientific interest and to be preserved for further study and investigation. In the event, however, the Delabarre theory should ever receive complete acceptance and the object and site become as significant for the Age of Exploration as Plymouth Rock is today for the Colonial Period or Age of Settlement, acqui- sition of several acres on the shore behind the rock and the elimination of at least three summer cottages would be advisable. B. Estimated cost of management and protection: If left exposed as at present, no costs for management or protection of Dighton Rock would be necessary.
The initial cost of building a coffer dam and/or barrier described under IV, F., might be considerable, with an annual allotment of several hundred dollars for upkeep and maintenance. Any larger development, of course, involving the acquisition of shore property would require the presence of personnel for management and pro- tection and increase accordingly the annual costs. - C. Evaluation of the history or archaeological significance of the site for historic site survey purposes: Unless the Delabarre theory ascribing some figures of the inscription on Dighton Rock to the Portuguese explorer, Miguel Cortereal, in the year 1511 1s finally accepted, we believe any basis on which it might be considered for national recognition to be very slender.
The Indian pictographs and the lack of certainty as to whether they were inscribed in the pre-Columbian period or not until after the arrival of the white man is a problem to be solved by archaeologists. Offhand, we would question the importance of the Indian pictographs, whether they date before or after Columbus or Cortereal, but would be satisfied to accept the verdict of an archaeologist who has specialized in the field of petroglyphs. In connection specifically with the Delabarre theory as to the Cortereal inscription, the methods of archaeology are also needed before any fact of outstanding historical significance may be established. It is more than a quarter of a century since Professor Delabarre's investigation was per- fomed.
Archaeologists have reviewed his research, jet insofar as we have been able to determine no thoroughly searching, independent and objective investigation has been made by a spacialist in petroglyphs as a check against Professor Delabarre's work, nor any attempt to improve on the excellent flashlight reproductions of Professor Delabarre's day. Such a project, even il unfruitful with regard to establishing any important historical associations in the Age of Exploration, would at least give the proponents of the Delabarre theory food for thought and dispell, once and for all, any misconceptions to the effect that participation by archaeo- logists has been limited simply to sterile sneering and unconstructive commentary. Alter Professor Delabarre's book appeared in 1928, archaeologists wrote reviews and were as charitable as the uncertainty of internal evidence would 2 permit.
The key review was probably written by Charles C.Willoughby, Director Emeritus, Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridgo, Massachusetts, His review appeared initially in The New England Quarterly for July, 1929, and was repeated with minor changes in the American Anthropologist for July-September, 1929. Director Eneritus Willoughby thought Dighton Rock "probably the most famous object of archaeological. interest in America" and Professor Delabarré's book "la valuable contribution to New England archaeology, whether or not the reader is able to accept all the author's conclusions, which are presented in a clear and interesting manner".
With regard to the deciphering of letters by Professor Delabarre, he wrote " a few of the characters can be traced without difficulty in his illustrations, but the majority of them appear to be too obscure for unqualified acceptance". A review by Truman Michelson in the American Historical Review for January, 1930, printed with permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, followed the opinion already expressed by Willoughby and even referred to the lattor's review in the American Anthropologist. "Truth compels me to state" concluded Michelson, "that a very few characters may have values assigned by Dr. Delabarre, but the rest can not be accepted". A similar attitude was taken by Julian H. Steward, Bureau of American Ethnology, in a comprehensive article on "Petroglyphs of the United States" printed in the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1936, peges 405-425.
Steward is particularly helpful in describing the problem of accuracy in reproducing the characters or lines of petroglyphs. The following paragraph, page 411, states the problem generally and also calls attention to Dighton Rock: 3 "It should be remarked at this point that the mere recording of entirely genuine petroglyphs is usually fraught with possibilities of errors. A good photograph of the untouched inscriptions is best. Often, however, when it is impossible to procure a clear photograph, it is necessary to chalk in the lines il the design is carved, This introduces a real possibility that the person will chalk so as to idealize or that he will see what is actually not there. The greatest danger is in copying, in which one tends unconsciously to record what he thinks the petroglyph is intended to be, not what it really is.
Distortions in hand drawings are particularly patent in the many reproductions of Dighton Rock, each person slightly falsifying the real inscriptions to fit his preconceived idea of what they represent." Professor Delabarre had the benefit of as good reproductions as it was possible to obtain at the time his work was done through the use of Plashlight photography. Insofar as we are aware, no charges of distortion or falsification have ever been levelled at Professor Delabarre's work. The problem has been rather that of unwillingness to accept Professor Delabarre's conjectures where lines are indistinct or missing on his photographs. It is this point of view, we belleve, Steward expresses . when he describes, page 410, "Some of the post-Columbian names and dates" Professor Delabarre claimed to have found on Dighton Rock as "not entirely convincing".
We got a somewhat similar reaction from Douglas S. Byers, Director of the Robert S. Peabody Foundation for Archaeology at Phillips Acadeny, Andover, Massachusetts, when we the Delabarre theory with him on October 14. Byers said that the integrity of' Professor Delabarre had never been questioned by archaeologists. It was simply a matter of being unable to say that his conjectures, which contain a high degree of proba- bility, had been proved or could be proved on the basis of the internai evidence provided by the inscription on the rock. Byers went on to point to the unenviable position any professional archaeologist would expose himself if he should take the stand that the Delabarre theory had been proved. Moreover, ho was not optimistic about any new techniques or methods of archaeology that would be an improvement on Professor Delabarre's approach to the problem.
Byers Ieels that the preservation of Dighton Rock should be assured, and said that he would deplore the presence of any undesirable exploitation just as much as Mr. Aguas. He was inclined to favor removal of the rock either to a museun or to a dry place on the shore nearby where it would be more accessible for observation. "It is not doing anyone any good where it is now, covered up most of the time by the tide" he said. The rock would be difficult to dislodge, he thought, but hoisting equipment on a barge during an unusually high tide in the fall or spring might do the job. Byers called attention to the scarcity of Indian petroglyphs in New England and the importance of preserving Dighton Rock for this reason if no other. He tended to rank the rock higher in this connection than we have in a prior paragraph of this section.
Petroglyphs studied by archaeo- logists in other parts of the country, me gather, are now commonly attributed to the Indians before they had contact with the white man. Byers intimated that this may well be the case with some of the picture-writing on Dighton Rock, but it has not been proved. Such a theory does not coincide with that of Professor Delabarre who concluded the "Indian records belong..., in all probability, to the period extending from about 1640 to about 1675". (See Dighton Rock, page 185). We had hoped also to talk with Frederick Johnson, an associate of Dr. Byers under the Peabody Foundation for Archaeology. Unfortunately,Dr. Johnson was absent on a field trip.
Byers was able to tell us, however, that Johnson had performed exploratory work before the recent war on Grassy Island, an Indian camp site of a thousand Jears or nore ago now lying sub- merged at high tide in the Taunton River less than a quarter of a mile north of Dighton Rock. The fact that the camp site is now under water at high tide, sometimes to a depth of three feet or more, is strong evidence if not proof that Dighton Rock was at one time above the reach of the tides or at least so situated that rock-carvers had more time between tides to practice their craft than they would today. Byers thought Johnson had been interested in Dighton Rock primarily in connection with the problem of tide levels and that he had made no especial investigation of the inscription upon it. Dr. Henry F.
Howe, a physician of Cohasset, Massachusetts, has acquired some reputation as an amateur historian of New England, especially for the periods of exploration and settlement. His book, Prologue to New England, was published in 1943 and Salt Rivers of the Massachusetts Shore last Jear. We had the opportunity to discuss the subject of Dighton Rock with Dr. Howe 6 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on September 26 when we appeared on the same program at the annual New England Conference of the American Association of Museuns. Dr. Howe is greatly interested in Dighton Rock and has been to see it many times with friends of his who are members of the Massachu- setts Archaeological Society, a group banded together for the purpose of making field trips and studying archaeological sites and objects in the state. Dr.
Howe feels that the inscription on Dighton Rock is apt to remain a mystery for some time and, perhaps, forever unless it is possible to develop techniques more proficient than any available now to bring out the details of the letters upon which Professor Delabarre's conjectures are built. Dr. Howe repeated to us the substance of what he had already written on pages 8 and 21 of his Prologue to New England. October 18, 1952 Edwin Wt Swall Edwin W. Small Superintendent Salem Maritime National Historic Site Form 10-317 (dept. 1957) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL SURVEY OF HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS 2. THEME(S). IF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, WRITE "ARCH" BEFORE THEME NO. Theme II - Early Indian Farmers [1I? (111..!) 4. APPROX. ACREAGE 1/438th acre 1. STATE Massachusette 3. NAME(S) OF SITE Dighton Rock 5. EXACT LOCATION (County, township, roads, etc.
Il difficult to find, sketch on Supplementary Sheet) Near Berkley hore of Taunton River 6. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRESENT OWNER (Also administrator if different from owner) State of Ma sachusetts 7. IMPORTANCE AND DESCRIPTION (Describe briefly w hat makes site important and what remains are extant) Allegedly New England's oldest petroglyph and belleved to be (by some) the oldest monunent in V. S. bearing a white mesaage. Proposed through Congreasman Martin April 1952. Service reply stated that the matter vould be presented to the Advisory Board in the fall and that an historical Investigation and report had been requested. No record of further action.
The favestigation by Hastahorn and Johnson made subsequenrly for the state of Massacisatts when the matter of whether or not it vas possible to remove the rock to the adjacent mainland in order to preserve it indefinizely as an historie feature resulted in so elaborate a set of methods and precautions being recormended for the operation, that the plan to move it vas dropped, and the proposal is at present shelved. This report states: "We are offering no opinion conceraing the inscription on the rock, Ve are consider- ing Dighton Rock only as an histerteal monunent that hes been known throughout the vorld since about 1680. The fact that six hundred or nore artseles or books, dig- cuasing the rock and its meaning, have bees written in several languages reinforces an opinion that Dighton Rock 1s perhaps one of the world's most famous inscribed rocke.
It is true, ve belleve, that the state of Massachusetta ie nov dizectly responsible for the preservation of Dighton Rock, whseh 1s analogous to some is- replaceable antíque plece of furniture or painting by an old master." he sock ls a gray felspathie massive sandstone estimated 480 cu. {t., and veigh ing 40 tons Delabarre ref.) Inseription weathering slowly 8. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES (Give best sources: give location of manuscripts and rare works) "Results of Some Investigations of and about Dighton Rock: Being a Report to the Coumisaion on Dighton Rock", signed by Joseph Hartshorn, U. S. Geologieal Survey and Trederick Johnson, B, S. Peabody Foundatlon. 9. REPORTS AND STUDIES (Mention best reports and studies, as, NPS study, HABS, etc.) Six hundred artleles mentloned by above reference. 10. PHOTOGRAPHS * ATTACHED: YES - 14. NAME OF RECORDER (Signature) NO 1 11. CONDITION Good 12.
PRESENT USE (Museum, farm, etc.) 13. DATE OF VISIT Holding dovn Taunton R, shore 15. TITLE 16. DATE Regional Archeologtst 2-20-59 LOCATION OF NEGATNE ATTEEEENANNAMEOETESITE, DATE OF PHOTOGRAPH, AND NAME OF PHOTOGRAPHER. GIVE (IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED USE SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET, 10-317a, AND REFER TO ITEM NUMBER) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE Form 10-317 UNITED STATES (Sept-2957) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL SURVEY OF HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS 1. STATE 2. THEME(S). IF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, WRITE "ARCH" BEFORE THEME NO. Massachusetts Arch. II? of white inscriptions, could be VIII? (1??..!) 3. NAME(S) OF SITE 4. APPROX. ACREAGE Dighton Rock 1/438th acre 5. EXACT LOCATION (County, township, roads, etc. If difficult to find. sketch on Supplementary Sheet) Near Berkley on shore of Taunton River 6.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRESENT OWNER (Also administrator if different jrom ouner) State of Massachusetts 7. IMPORTANCE AND DESCRIPTION (Describe briefly w hat makes site important and what remains are extant) Allegedly New England'a oldest petroglyph and belleved to be (by some) the oldest monument in U. S. bearing a white man'a message. Proposed through Congressman Martin April 1952. Service reply stated that the matter vould be presented to the Advisory Board in the fall and that an historical iavestigation and report had been requested. No record of further action.
The investigation by Hartshorn and Johnson made subsequently for the State of Massaciwsazits when the matter of whether or not it was possible to remove the rock to the adjacent mainland in order to preserve it indefinitely as an historic Ce ertar to proo feature resulted in so elaborate a set of methods and precautions being recommended for the operation, that the plan to move it was dropped, and the proposal is at present shelved. This report states: "We are offering no opinion concerning the inscription on the rock, We are consider- ing Dighton Rock only as an historieal monument that has been known throughout the world since about 1680. The fact that six hundred or more artieles or books, d1s- cussing the rock and its meaning, have been vritten in several languages reinforces an opinion that Dighton Rock is perhaps one of the world's most famous inscribed rocks.
It is true, ve believe, that the state of Massachusetts is now directly responaible for the preservation of Dighton Rock, which is analogous to some ir- replaceable antique piece of furniture or painting by an old master." The rock 1s a gray felspathie massive sandstone estimated 480 eu. ft., and weigh- ing 40 tons (Delabarre ref.) Inscription veathering slowly. 8. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES (Gire best sources: gice location of manuscripts and rare works) "Results of Some Investigations of and about Dighton Rock: Being a Report to the Conmiasion on Dighton Rock", signed by Joseph Hartshorn, U. S. Geological Survey and Frederick Johnson, R. S. Peabody Foundation. 9. REPORTS AND STUDIES (Mention best reports and studies, as, NPS study, HABS, etc.) Six hundred articles mentioned by above reference. 10. PHOTOGRAPHS* ATTACHED: YES - NO X 11. CONDITION Good 12.
PRESENT USE (Museum, farm, etc.) 13. DATE OF VISIT Holding down Taunton R. shore 14. NAME OF RECORDER (Signature) 15. TITLE 16. DATE Regional Archeologist 2-20-59 *DRY MOUNT ON AN 8 X 10½ SHEET OF FAIRLY HEAVY PAPER. IDENTIFY BY VIEW AND NAME OF THE SITE. DATE OF PHOTOGRAPH, AND NAME OF PHOTOGRAPHER. LOCATION OF NEGATIVE. IF ATTACHED, ENCLOSE IN PROPER NEGATIVE ENVELOPES. (IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED USE SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET, 10-317a, AND REFER TO ITEM NUMBER) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-74016-1 GIVE DIGHTON ROCK (25-71-00006-00). Dighton Rock State Park, Bristol Co. State ownership. A rock marked with cryptic inscriptions of un- known meaning and origin that have presented an historical mystery since the 17th century. Construction of a facility to protect the rock from air damage and discoloration. $10,720.50.
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