The Boston Post Cane
| Past Recipients of the Southwest Harbor Cane "Oldest Citizen" |
|
|---|---|
| Jacob S. Mayo | 1819-1912 |
| Robert S. Newman | 1825-1922 |
| Thomas M. Newman | 1835-1942 |
| Charles Haynes | 1867-1958 |
| Ella Bates Spurling | 1877-1958 |
| Laura Leonard | 1884-1989 |
| Ruth Carlson Wiberg | 1894-1996 |
| Elizabeth Berry | 1897-1998 |
| Cane not presented for 1.5 years | |
| Hester Martel | 1900-2006 |
| Cane not presented for 2 years | |
| Elizabeth King | 1905-2009 |
| Carrie Morris | 1907-2010 |
Research continues on earlier recipients |
|
Guidelines For Southwest Harbor
The Boston Post Cane tradition was established in 1909 by the Boston Post newspaper. A special cane was given to the Board of Selectmen in hundreds of New England towns, to be presented as an honor to each town’s oldest citizen. (Originally for males only, but later extended to women.) The recipient held the honor as long as he or she lived (or moved from the town). Upon his or her death (or move) the cane would be awarded to the next oldest person.
The cane belongs to the town and not the resident who received it. To protect the priceless original cane, it has been retired and will be displayed at the Town Office. A replica is now presented to the oldest citizen. Upon the death of the holder, the cane is returned to the Town to be passed to the new recipient. The Town has established guidelines and definitions to assist in determining the recipient of the cane. It is intended that the procedure remain flexible and be guided by common sense.
Eligibility and Selection
The holder of the cane must be 90 years old or older and must reside in the Town of Southwest Harbor for a reasonable number of years. The term “resident” refers to a person who has physically resided at a fixed, permanent, and principal home in this town. Maintaining an address, voting eligibility, and/or car registration are also indications of residency.
Recognizing that individuals sometimes establish residency here late in life but otherwise may not be engaged as residents of the Town of Southwest Harbor, selection of the honoree shall be by a committee of three. This committee will consist of the Town Clerk and two representatives of the Southwest Harbor Historical Society.
Method of Search for the Oldest Citizen
There shall be a notice placed in the local media looking for nominations for those residents who are 90 years old or older and have been resident in the Town for a reasonable number of years. Nominations must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office 30 days from the date of posting of the notice in the media. The search may also include an informal survey, general public knowledge, voter registrations, and inquiries to nursing homes, senior citizen housing, civic groups, and churches or by nomination from family and friends. A nomination form may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office or from the Southwest Harbor Historical Society.
Presentation
The Chair of the Board of Selectmen or his or her designee shall present the oldest resident with the cane, and cause the name of the honoree to be inscribed on a plaque to be eventually displayed along with the original Boston Post Cane at the Town Office. A photo of the recipient will also be displayed.
The location of the presentation will be determined according to the circumstances of the honoree.
The recipient will retain this honor as long as he or she remains in Southwest Harbor or in a nearby nursing home or residence. The Town Clerk’s Office must be notified if the recipient dies, changes residency outside of the Town, or otherwise refuses or returns the honor. At that time the Committee shall determine the new oldest citizen.
-November 2010
Boston Post Cane Nomination Form