The Boston Post Cane

History

The Boston Post Cane tradition was established in 1909 by the Boston Post newspaper. A special cane was given to the Board of Selectmen of over 700 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.

For more information on the Boston Post Cane in New England, visit The Boston Post Cane Information Center through the Maynard Historical Society.

Guidelines For Southwest Harbor

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.

Nomination

Click here to access and download the Boston Post Cane Nomination Form.

Current Caneholder

Eleanor Murphy

Selectman Chair Noah Burby presented the Boston Post Cane to Eleanor Murphy on November 12, 2025.

Previous Caneholders

Most recent caneholder listed first.

G. Eugene Walls

Willard Colson

LaVerne Redlon

  • Born: November 16, 1925
    Died: June 1, 2025
    Received cane on: November 20, 2023

  • Born: January 20, 1923
    Died: March 20, 2023
    Received cane: March 15, 2022

  • Born: January 25, 1921
    Died: October 13, 2021
    Received cane: December 22, 2020

  • Born: June 17, 1919
    Died: August 5, 2020
    Received cane: June 10, 2015

    Previous caneholder Elizabeth Berry is the mother of Mary Orcutt Harkins.

  • Born: July 10, 1917
    Died: April 5, 2015
    Received cane: January 30, 2014

    Previous caneholder Laura Leonard was the mother-in-law of Ferne Rumill Leonard.

  • Born: July 24, 1915
    Died: November 14, 2013
    Received cane: February 4, 2013

    Carrie Morris and Raymond Morris were husband and wife.

  • Born: September 25, 1912
    Died: December 25, 2012
    Received cane: February 2011

  • Born: April 1, 1907
    Died: October 21, 2010
    Received cane: June 26, 2009

    Carrie Morris and Raymond Morris were husband and wife.

  • Born: November 27, 1905
    Died: April 01, 2009
    Received cane: July 16, 2008

  • Born: April 6, 1900
    Died: April 01, 2006
    Received cane: April 6, 2000

  • Born: August 16, 1897
    Died: December 16, 1998
    Received cane: Summer 1996

    Elizabeth Berry is the mother of later caneholder Mary Orcutt Harkins.

  • Born: February 6, 1894
    Died: May 10, 1996
    Received cane: January 1989

  • Born: June 12, 1884
    Died: September 8, 1989
    Received cane: December 12, 1980

    Laura Leonard was the mother-in-law of later caneholder Ferne (Rumill) Leonard.

  • Born: October 15, 1877
    Died: November 21, 1979
    Received cane: after Oct. 15, 1977

  • Born: February 20, 1867
    Died: December 18, 1958
    Received cane: February 21, 1957

  • Born: August 28, 1835
    Died: September 8, 1942
    Received cane: after Feb. 25, 1922

    Robert Newman did have the Cane for 9 years and about 10 months. Then it passed to his brother Thomas Newman, who had the Cane 20 years and lived until he was 107+.

  • Born: April 15, 1825
    Died: February 25, 1922
    Received cane: after Apr. 24, 1912

    Robert Newman did have the Cane for 9 years and about 10 months. Then it passed to his brother Thomas Newman, who had the Cane 20 years and lived until he was 107+.

  • Born: June 14, 1819
    Died: April 24, 1912
    Received cane: Aug. 6, 1909

  • These people, who were the eldest in certain years, may have been presented with the Cane, but we have not found proof for them to be included:

    George Washington Kent (1848-1945) 97 years old

    John Thomas Lawton (1854-1954) 99 years old

    Vilda Knowlton (1864-1963) 99 years old

    Horace Edwin Stanley (1869-1964) 94 years old

    Elizabeth Norwood (1875-1969) 95 years old

    Arthur Taylor (1875-1973) 97 years old