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Select Board okays letter of support for local effort to reclaim historic dugout canoe from Worcester museum
Summary
Residents asked the Select Board to authorize a letter supporting a volunteer effort to take custody of a dugout canoe currently held by the Worcester Historical Museum. The board directed the town administrator to draft a letter of support and authorized the chair to sign it.
A group of Hubbardston residents and historical stakeholders asked the Select Board to support their effort to recover a dugout canoe donated to the Worcester Historical Museum and return it to Hubbardston for conservation and display.
A resident identified as Ed described the canoe's history: he said the dugout canoe was recovered from Comet Pond in 1983, that it likely dates to the 17th century and that it had been donated to the Worcester Historical Museum but was no longer on public display and showed signs of mold. Ed said local volunteers, the Hubbardston Historical Society and Bill Shea's private museum were exploring options to professionally conserve the canoe and to build a plexiglass case so it could be displayed locally or loaned for events.
Town staff indicated the town could provide a letter of support but that any conservation and display costs would be borne by the volunteer group and museum. Town Administrator (staff) said the town lacked capacity to fund the project but could draft a support letter if the board authorized it. Patricia, a resident with an archaeology degree and Native American studies training, said the canoe might have Nipmuc origin and that any repatriation question could require consultation with indigenous groups.
Select Board member [unnamed in record] moved that the board direct the town administrator to draft a letter in support of the reclamation and exploration of the canoe prospects in Worcester and to authorize the chair to sign the letter on the board's behalf. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; the record shows the board voted in favor without recorded opposition.
Speakers emphasized that the group intends to pursue professional conservation and financing independently of the town and that the town's role would be limited to a written statement of support. Residents planning the project said they would meet with the Worcester Historical Museum on June 12 and would inform the board of progress.
