We need the historical society

To the Editor: 

I am writing in opposition to selling the Bakery Building and displacing the Charlestown Historical Society. 

Our local historical societies are constantly doing work that no one sees. The historical society is the library of historical artifacts, documents, information on our veterans going back two-pluscenturies, historic houses, people, cemeteries, etc. Historiansutilizelocal historical societies on a regular basis, swapping information. Understanding the history of where one comes from is an essentialcomponentof the genetic makeup of a good American citizen. All the towns in New England have historical societies, and most towns provide their historical societies with an adequate space. 

I teach U.S.history to theeighth grade at Charlestown Middle. If the young citizens of this town are to develop a sense of love and pride in our current and future Charlestown, looking at itspastis an excellent place to start. I hear my students talk about Charlestown as a drag, somewhere worthleaving. I want them to develop a love and pride in their town that will result in the investment of their time,passionand labors back into Charlestown. We must not allow ourselves to live only in a snapshot of the present. We must have the past to guide us. We needthe historicalsociety, andthe historicalsociety needs a home.  

I think of Thomas Jefferson when I think about the will of the people in our region. His views on agricultural Republicanism and the yeoman movement resonate with me and I believe many of the voters of Charlestown. Jefferson did not believe in excessive government spending, true, but he valued abovenearly allelse the idea of an educated populace. He devoted the resources of the public good to strengthening that interest. He believed Americans needed to know their history to be patriots.  

The patriotism I see in Charlestown is real. There is a love of America as our home. When I see the “Don’t Tread on Me,”or the “76 Flag,” I am reminded of the great strength and sacrifice of many Charlestown figures who stood up for their rights. They knew the history of their people and place. Their knowledge of their own history gave these people the sense that they were free toself-governand have representation if taxed. More importantly, it also gave them the consent to fight for these rights when violated.How will today’s citizens learn the righteous past in order to defend what is just in their time?  

I conclude by asking the select board, what have you done to improve the condition of this valued institution of the public good? What has the select board of Charlestown done to helpthe historicalsociety of late? How has the selectboardcelebratedthe unbelievable history of Charlestown? What a draw that could be! Look at Northfield, Massachusetts,and their 350th anniversary celebration that created tourism and revenue. Not only can civic engagement be enhanced by these choices, but money can be brought in as well. The town would be unwise to rely only on the fort museum to do this work. The fort is not public. It has also not been consistent. It is alwaysa good ideato have the ability to keep the message unified and internal and to have a hand on the lever. Let the town be the greatest celebrator of itself!  

It is up to us, today, to preserve history. The future will take an interest in its past, as people always do, and look back at the records of these days to see the names of their forebears and of those who invested in the community that they too will cherish as home. Let us take that into consideration as we move forward with this decision.  

 

MichaelSchlenoff 

Charlestown Middle School  

U.S.History Teacher