Comments on: Salem Common

By: daseger

daseger — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:45:27 +0000

You never hear Boston Commons, but I hear Salem Commons quite a bit-you can tell it’s a pet peeve!

By: daseger

daseger — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:34:36 +0000

The early views always make me wistful, DD!

By: daseger

daseger — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:15:51 +0000

Nancy, how thoughtful of you! I will have to do some research. I know that many of the initiatives regarding the Common have been private and quite specific–like Elias Hasket Derby’s leveling project in 1802 and the recent playground–and I do not think there is a general fund. The Salem Common Neighborhood Association is the major advocate for the park. The City is overseeing the fence project, but it’s going to take some time. If I learn of any other initiatives I will certainly showcase them here.

By: daseger

daseger — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:11:14 +0000

I think Ropes is (rather fancifully) depicting the poplar trees that were planted when the Common was landscaped at the beginning of the 19th century–many were destroyed by a big storm in 1815 and replaced by elms.

By: daseger

daseger — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:09:29 +0000

That’s my thinking, anyway, Leslie.

By: downeastdilettante

downeastdilettante — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:02:32 +0000

Damn the automobile! Damn it to Hell! The early views, sans cars, cause extreme wistfulness.

The condition of the Washington Arch startles one.

By: Nancy Webster

Nancy Webster — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:56:48 +0000

Is there a foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Salem Common? I would very much like to contribute to such an effort.

By: jldk

jldk — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:53:32 +0000

Muy interesante! What do “we” know about the trees in the “Training Day” painting? Are they really shown as evergreens? I, too, love it and didn’t realize it was our Common (w/o the ‘s’).

By: quiltingpiecebypiece

quiltingpiecebypiece — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:12:20 +0000

You know, I never thought about people saying “Commons” vs “Common.” Probably because when I first moved to the Boston area, I was told that the Common was “common grazing area” for city dwellers. I later found that wasn’t entirely the case, but that stuck with me.

By: Leslie Clements

Leslie Clements — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:13:07 +0000

Lovely, even with food stands! Although I do hope that they’re generating some revenue for restoration (wishful thinking?).