Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - July - 2010 Issue
Massachusetts! From Peter L. Masi Books
The John Bridge statue and Pecousic Villa.
Item 150 is a pamphlet from the unveiling of a statue in Cambridge Common in 1882. I would bet that hundreds of people pass by it everyday without a clue who the man was. He was John Bridge, Puritan, and a founder of Cambridge back in 1632. Bridge was a deeply religious man, as one would expect from a Puritan, a Deacon in his church. However, he was also a town selectman, Representative to the General Court, and supervisor of the first school in Cambridge (and no, it wasn't Harvard. This was much earlier). The statue was presented by Bridge's sixth generation of descendants. It shows Bridge, Bible in hand, Puritan hat on his head, looking perfectly like a Pilgrim father. The pamphlet is titled, Acceptance and Unveiling of the Statue of John Bridge, the Puritan. $15.
There was a big celebration in America's hometown, Plymouth, to honor the 300th anniversary of its founding. Not only did the usual assortment of local officials and townspeople participate, but President Warren Harding came to Plymouth to celebrate the momentous occasion. You will find an account of the celebration in 1921, plus a history of Plymouth and photographs of local sites, in Plymouth Tercentenary Illustrated. Item 486. $25.
Nothing lasts forever. Everett Barney made a great deal of money manufacturing guns in the Civil War, and when that market dried up after Appomattox, he turned his attention to making roller skates. Barney built himself a beautiful estate in Springfield, Massachusetts, known as Pecousic Villa, which he left to the public. Item 564 is a souvenir booklet announcing, Pecousic Villa: Home of the Late Everett H. Barney. Now Open to the Public (circa 1920s). As we said, nothing lasts forever. The structure was getting shaky and was regarded as a firetrap by the late 1950s, so when the new Interstate 91 was constructed half a century ago, Pecousic Villa was torn to the ground. However, Barney's carriage house still stands. $10.
Peter L. Masi Books may be reached at 413-367-2628 or masibook@verizon.net.
