From the Archives: A Letter to the Residents of Beacon Street
The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s pruning of the historic linden trees continues. Below is the text of a letter to the residents of Beacon Street from 1909 or 1910, the original of which is at the Boston Athenaeum. In the following days we will share some follow-up correspondence on the matter of the Beacon Street trees.
“To the Residents of Beacon Street:
A year ago a committee of residents of Beacon Street met with delegates of the Metropolitan Improvement League and the Massachusetts Forestry Association to consider the planting of a row of trees on either side of Beacon Street between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue. A strong sentiment in favor of tree-planting had previously been shown by a house-to-house canvass by ladies of this committee. As a result of this meeting, Mr. Arthur A. Shurtleff, a well-known landscape architect and tree expert, was requested to make a complete study of the situation and to present a full report.
The undersigned committee recommend that Mr. Shurleff’s plan be adopted and the details of the undertaking be placed in his hands as architect. To do this will cost approximately $12,000, or an average of $34 per house, there being 352 houses between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
It is desirable that the work of preparing the pits be done during the summer months, when most of the residents will be away and when the work can be done more cheaply. The planting should be done either in November or April, better in the latter month. If the pits can be prepared this coming summer the planting can be done next November or April. Otherwise a whole year will be lost. It is therefore hoped that the necessary sum can be raised before June 1, 1910.
Will you not contribute toward this well-considered, desirable, and permanent improvement of Beacon Street?
Cheques may be made payable and sent to R.G. Wadsworth, 323 Beacon Street. If enough money is not raised, the cheques will be returned. The committee wish to point out that as all the 352 houses between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue are not occupied by permanent residents, it is hoped that those who are especially interested in the plan will not limit their contributions to any arbitrary sum. On the other hand, small contributions from any one interested will be very welcome. Should more money than is necessary for the actual planting be obtained, this excess will be used for the future care of the trees.
Mrs. Frederick T. Lord, Chairman
Mrs. Harold J. Coolidge, Mrss. Charles W. Amory, Mrs. Elbridge G. Cutler, Miss Eloise L. Derby, Mrs. Paul Revere Frothingham, Miss Anna H. Niles, Mrs. R.G. Wadsworth, Miss Katherine C. Pierce, Mrs. T.J. Bowker, Hon. Eben S. Draper, Mr. Frank L. Higginson, Mr. Henry P. King, Mr. Charles A. Stone, Mr. Ralph B. Williams, and Dr. Richard G. Wadsworth, Committee of Beacon Street Residents
Mr. Sylvester Baxter, Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, and Mr. W.W. Churchill, Committee of Metropolitan Improvement League
Mr. Irving T. Guild, Secretary of Massachusetts Forestry Association”
Of course, we’re still raising money for the trees. For those who are interested in contributing to the pruning project, click “Donate” on our website today. The image below is of Beacon Street near Carlton Street in Brookline, looking west.
