THE Summer 2010
GRANITE CHIPS
Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum, P.O. Box 690724, Quincy, MA02269
617-472-1322 quincyquarrymuseum@verizon.net
From the President:
As the museum moves into the summer season we will be looking into projects that would be interesting and informative to our members similar to the Cleaner, Greener Quincy project the museum undertook at the historic Granite Railway Inclined Plane. Other areas will include preparing of displays similar to our display in the lobby of City Hall and looking for research grants for the funding of students to research and record information on the granite industry. One interesting area of the industry is the diversity it brought to Quincy in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. As the museum moves into its second year, we will be soliciting the business community for support. Our membership is a powerful force in moving all our programs forward. The strength of any organization is in its numbers, so we will launch a membership drive this summer and fall to increase our numbers. The officers and directors want to thank all members who have joined in support of our efforts to preserve our rich granite history in Quincy and surrounding towns.
Thank you,
Al Bina
Conservation Commission’s Quarry History
The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum has received valuable historical information pertaining to the Quincy quarries and surrounding areas from the family of the late Clara Yeomans. The information was compiled into a folder of her personal collection of information related to the quarries that came before the Quincy Conservation Commission. One section of the folder contained notes on many of the proposals which included passive parks, hotels, museums and one proposal to open a quarry for the removal of granite coupled with a school to teach the sculpturing of stone. What a missed opportunity for Quincy. The information contained in the folder spanned the 1960’s to 2000 and will be of great value when researching the later years of the stories of the quarries. Clara Yeomans served on the Quincy Conservation Commission from 1965 to 2000. For many years she served as chairperson and was a charter member of the commission. The museum would like to thank her daughter Ann Yeomans for the donation of this piece of quarry history.
Received 501(c)3
On February 15, 2010 the Quincy Quarry & Granite Workers received official notification from the Internal Revenue Service that our tax exempt status has been approved. We are now a 501c(3) organization. This status now exempts the museum from federal income tax under section 501c(3) and contributions to the museum are deductible under section 170 of the code. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers and gifts which include artifacts related to the granite industry. The 501c(3) and section 170 of the code is a key component in moving the Quarry Museum forward and also gives the museum a non-profit status to now secure grants and foundation funding from both.
Thank You To Thomas Crane Library and Quincy Historical Society
The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum would like to thank the Quincy Historical Society and the Thomas Crane Library for their support and allowing us access to their collection of historical photos. When the Museum was established in 2008, we did not have any historical granite industry photos in our collection. The Quincy Historical Society and the Thomas Crane Public Library graciously stepped forward and allowed the Museum access to their collection of photos. Without their help and the sharing of their photos, we would not have been able to move forward our goal of honoring all individuals of the granite industry.
Museum Joins Quincy Chamber of Commerce
The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum has joined the newly formed Quincy Chamber of Commerce as an associate member. The Quincy Chamber of Commerce was formed by consolidating the Quincy Business Association, Quincy 2000 and Discover Quincy into a single entity. The officers felt this would be a good opportunity for the museum to get further exposure to the business community. The chamber offers throughout the year many workshops, seminars and training on a variety of subjects which the museum can benefit from. As a member we will be included in the South/West Quincy local business district partnership. We will also be listed in the members' directory. Our participation in the Quincy Chamber of Commerce will give us great exposure with the business community and also the general public.
Greene and Swingle-Hennigan Producing Documentary
Joseph Greene and Joann Swingle-Hennigan are collaborating in producing a documentary of the Swingle family's granite history. Joe's technical knowledge and his extensive research into the Swingle story along with Joann's family knowledge, when combined, should produce a great Swingle story. The documentary will cover the entire story of the Swingle family granite history in Quincy starting with Jonathan Swingle the founder of the company to the closing of Swingle's Quarry, the last operating quarry in Quincy.
Archeologist Richard Muzzrole Donates Historical Information
Mr. Richard Muzzrole has donated to the museum valuable written information he has compiled in his many years of work on the Granite Railway and the Bunker HillMonument. The collection includes over one hundred articles compiled over forty years of research on the railroad and monument. Mr. Muzzrole also donated a very rare book titled "The First Railroad in America” which was printed by the Granite Railway Company on the commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the company. In 1962 Mr. Muzzrole was offered and accepted a position with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC in the cultural history division were he did extensive restoration of historical artifacts. He also, along with his lab duties at the Smithsonian, did extensive archaeological investigation of sites for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. On his return to Quincy, he continued to work on the Granite Railway and single-handedly uncovered and partially restored the 184 year old railroad bed. This information will be catalogued and stored in our reference library for future historical access.
CommonwealthMuseum's Granite Demonstrations Put on DVD's
In 1996 the CommonwealthMuseum located at the State Archives at Columbia Point, off of Morrissey Boulevard, Boston had a granite industry exhibit of Massachusetts. The exhibit covered all areas of the granite industry and geology of Massachusetts' granite. The exhibit ran for more than 6 months and also featured an outdoor exhibit and demonstration of stonecutting and sculpturing of granite. The exhibits, demonstrations and a great deal of granite history and current granite related information was filmed on beta cam by Tom Fitzgerald, the videographer for the State Archives. He documented the granite industry on film including ledgers being blown, active quarrying at that time, several stonecutters working, blacksmithing, sculptors at work, kids swimming and jumping in quarries and much more including the geology of Massachusetts' granite. Our member, Tom Bonomi, suggested that we should record this information for our own library of historical information. Al Bina contacted Dr. Stephen Kenney the Director of the CommonwealthMuseum and he agreed to search for this material. Dr. Kenney was able to find the materials and agreed to allow us to record the information. With Tom's technical knowledge, we were able to transfer and record from their master VHS tapes to DVD's. Tom will now be able to put this information into a computer to use at a later date. Our goal is to put together an hour long presentation using this recorded material to show at one of our meetings.
Window Display in QuincyCenter
Members of the QuarryMuseum are preparing a display in the window of the old GraniteTrustBuilding in Quincy Square. The display will center around the stone sheds of Quincy, tools used in stonecutting and individuals who were part of the granite industry. The display will also feature a salesman's sample case which belonged to Walter Nisula, a tool box of Angelo Cianfarani, and granite samples of the many quarries supplying stock to the stone sheds. The display will feature pictures and artifacts donated by Paul Nisula, Angelo Cianfarani, Tom Bonomi and articles on loan from the Quincy Historical Society.
Inclined Plane Railway and First Railway Clean Up
The Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum sponsored the clean up of the historic Granite Railway Inclined Plane on Mullen Ave, West Quincy, as part of the City of Quincy's "Cleaner, Greener Quincy" on Saturday, May 1st. The Quincy Park Department supplied rakes, shovels, bags and gloves and thanks to Home Depot on Willard Street for donating specialty tools, gloves and buckets for the clean up effort. The Granite Railway Inclined Plane was completely over grown with brush and debris which made it unrecognizable to visitors to the site. The inclined plane is listed on the National Historical Register, State Historical Register and also on the National Civil Engineering Landmark Register. With the help of over 25 members and friends of the Museum, we were able to completely clean the entire length of the inclined plane to allow visitors to view the site. Tom Bonomi and Al Bina organized the clean up of the site and Louise Pagliccia and Lauren Chotalal manned the information tables that were set up. Other members who were present and helped with the clean up were Brian Palmucci, Ward 4 Councillor, Bob Romeri, William Jutila, Jay, Madison and Meghan Davis, Lisa McCarthy, Mark Murphy and his daughter, neighbors Vinny and Linda Talavico and their children Guiseppe, Victoria and Alexandria, Vic Campbell, Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiast, and Everett Reynolds, a railroad fan all the way from Rutland, MA. Vic Campbell who has extensive knowledge of the Granite Railway and the inclined plane shared his knowledge with visitors who just stopped by to view the site. Thanks go out to all who participated. Following the morning clean up the Mayor along with Curry's Hardware and Hannaford Supermarket sponsored a cook out at Pageant Field as a thank you from the City of Quincy.
Museum Joins Quincy Access Television
The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum has joined as a nonprofit member Quincy Access Television. Membership will enable up to four nonmembers of QATV and non-Quincy residents to use the facilities. This includes using audio and video equipment for filming and also the computer editing resources at the studio. Classes offered by QATV which cover all aspects of filming, editing, studio production, lighting and producing TV programs and documentaries can also be taken when offered.
Geology and History Quarry Walk
On Sunday, May 2, the Quincy Park Department's Environmental Treasures Program organized by Sally Owen sponsored a tour titled, "The History and Geology of Quincy Quarries". The tour included the Granite Rail Quarry and surrounding area also the Granite Railway Inclined Plane. The tour required a pre-registration and was limited to 30 people The group was split in half and Les Tyrala, a registered geologist, took one group on a geology walk explaining the geology of the quarry area and Tom Bonomi, our museum historian, took the other group on a walk explaining many of the historical features of the quarry area including the inclined plane railroad. At the conclusion of each walk, the groups switched so each group was exposed to both geology and the history of the quarry area. The museum set up informational tables with Louise Pagliccia, Joe Greene, Tom Bonomi and Al Bina available for questions and comments on the Granite Railway Inclined Plane and quarry area and also on our proposed museum. The Quincy Environmental Treasures Tours are sponsored by the City of Quincy Park Department and organized by Sally Owen and sponsors tours of many areas of Quincy's hidden treasures.
Display at QuincyCity Hall
Members of the Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum assembled a display that is in the main lobby of the new city hall annex. The display is free standing consisting of grid wall panels fastened together to form a cross which formed eight panels for display of photos and interpretive information. The display featured information on our mission and the proposed Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum with photos of the site and the model. Also included in the display were a series of photos of the Granite Railway and Bunker Hill Quarry, the Granite Railway Inclined Plane and photos of the granite industry including quarry, stone shed and miscellaneous photos related to the industry. Interpretive information was provided under each photo. The Museum would like to thank both the Quincy Historical Society and Thomas Crane Public Library for their sharing of photos which made this display possible.
Massachusetts Archaeology Month
The Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the state archaeologist Brona Simon will sponsor the 19th annual Massachusetts Archaeology Month. Archaeology Month is the commonwealth's annual celebration of the archaeological past. Archaeologist, museums, historical societies and libraries hold interesting and educational events for the public that shed light on the archaeological past. The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum will be opening up the Lyons Turning Mill for tours on October 2nd with a rain date of October 23rd. The museum will have tables set up for information on the turning mill, Quincy's granite industry and our proposed museum located at the turning mill site.
Nisula Family Donates Historical Artifacts and Photographs
Paul and Paula Nisula have donated artifacts in memory of his grandfathers, Andrew K. Nisula and Arthur A. Lindberg, who were both involved in the granite industry in Quincy. The artifacts were from Paul's grandfather, Andrew K. Nisula, who was the owner of Sampo Granite Company along with his son, Edwin K. Nisula, who was killed in action July 1944 in France. Their stone shed was located on Sampo Place off of Albertina Street, SouthQuincy. His maternal grandfather, Arthur A. Lindberg, was also a granite cutter with Golbranson Stone Shed on Nightingale Street, SouthQuincy. Articles donated include a rare salesmen's granite sample case, twenty-five historic photos of the granite industry, leveling blocks, pneumatic hand drill, assorted chisels, hammers and a square. All the articles will be used in our upcoming window display in QuincyCenter.
Filing Forms for Federal and State
With the acquiring of our Federal 501c(3) designation, the museum is required to file IRS form 940EZ along with Schedules A and B of the tax code. The Massachusetts requirement for non profit organizations requires filing wit the attorney general Form PC and must include the IRS Form 990EZ and Schedules A and B to acquire our Certificate for Solicitation for 2010. The museum was very fortunate to acquire the services of Michael O'Malley of O'Malley and Colangeli Branch Tax Consultants at no charge to the museum for his services in completing all required forms. We also are required to file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth an annual report each year to maintain our incorporation status. The museum would like to thank Michael for his advice and expertise in the preparation of our required forms. O'Malley and Colangeli Branch coincidently is located in the historic WillardSchoolBuilding, named after Solomon Willard and built of Quincy granite and brick, 1266 Furnace Brook Parkway, Suite 204, his phone number is 617-786-8215.
Meeting with Massachusetts Historical Commission
On Tuesday, May 25th, members of the Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum met with Jonathan Payton and Ed Bell, Archaeologist and Preservation Planners from the office of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and Duncan Ritchie of Public Archaeological Laboratory, Inc. the archaeological consultant for our project at the Lyons Turning Mill site. The subject of the meeting was to inform the commission of our plans for the stabilization of the turning mill and also to discuss our plans for the museum on site. A brief overall presentation was made followed by a tour of the building structure and the surrounding area including the Lyons Quarry. Many subjects related to the mill's stabilization and museum were discussed. It was a very productive meeting and many of our questions were answered and we also received many suggestions pertaining to our proposals for the site.
Community Preservation Funding
The Quincy community Preservation Committee forwarded to the Mayor and City Council the order for release of $100,000 for the Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum from the Community Preservation Committee. The order was approved by the Mayor and City Council and will be transferred to the museum. The funding award is for the stabilization of the Lyons Turning Mill. This will allow the museum to proceed in the first phase of stabilization which was given high urgency in the report by structural engineer, John Wathne of Structures North. The areas of high urgency are the top portions of the wall which has allowed water to enter from the top and percolate to the mortar and cement. The solution to this problem will consist of construction of a reinforced high density cast-in-place concrete cap beam, including localized re-setting of upper stones and tie-ins with epoxy coated steel dowels, top detailed to shed water. The museum will move forward on this project by late summer when all necessary planning and permitting is completed.
New Members
The Quincy Quarry and GraniteWorkersMuseum would like to thank all members who have joined. Your support has given the museum basic start-up funds to move forward. We welcome the newest members and thank them for joining us in this effort.
James & Susan Larkin Thomas & Ann Walsh Donna Chapman
Frank Bellotti Richard Balzarini Thomas Birmingham
Amy Killeen Alison Birmingham Richard & Liz Feitelberg
Paul & Paula Nisula Bob & Joyce Romeri Carl Soderstrom, Jr.
Edward & Else-Maria Cook Marc Belanger
News From The Past - "Quincy Patriot", October 31, 1885
Last Wednesday a very successful blast was made at F.J. Fuller's quarry, removing a single stone from its bed, weighing not less than five thousand tons. The size of this stone is forty feet by sixty feet, and twenty-five feet thick, and it contains sixty thousand cubic feet. It was necessary to raise the massive block of granite from its bed before it could be split, as it occupied about one quarter of the quarry. There was a natural seam on all sides of this large block, and in order to raise it the stone was blasted away from the entire length of one side sixty feet, to a depth of twenty-five feet. Then ten holes, each eighteen feet deep, were drilled under it at an angle of twenty-five degrees, and charged with twenty-five pounds of powder, and exploded simultaneously by an electric battery. At first here was no perceptible result, and the holes were again charged as before, with the addition of ten pounds of powder it exploded, slightly cracking the rock so that the water came into the holes and prevented the use of common powder. The holes were then all charged with four pounds of dynamite in each, making forty pounds in all and exploded, making a crack the entire length of the stone, in a most satisfactory manner. The time consumed in clearing the front of this stone, twenty-five feet deep, has been six months, with from six to ten men; fifteen hundred pounds of powder and three hundred pounds of dynamite have been used.
Visit Our Web Site For Updates At www.quincyquarrymuseum.org
Quincy Quarry & Granite
WorkersMuseum
Box 690724
Quincy, MA 02269
