The Boston Post Cane of Boothbay Harbor, Maine
The Boston Post Cane is an award that is gifted to the oldest member of a community. The tradition of gifting the Boston Post Cane began in 1909 when the Publisher of the Boston Post, Edwin A. Grozier mailed out 700 canes to 700 New England towns. These canes, according to Grozier, were made to be "presented to with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male citizen of the town." Of the 700 canes that Grozier sent out, 517 are still accounted for and are being used.
The Boston Post Cane in Boothbay Harbor
The holder of the Cane must be the oldest known resident and must reside in the Town of Boothbay Harbor for a minimum of 5 years.
The applicant for the Boston Post Cane must be a Boothbay Harbor resident though they may be living outside of Boothbay Harbor with family or in an assisted living/nursing facility. It is understood that the person would be living in Boothbay Harbor if it were possible. Recognizing that the Town has no formal means of identifying residents by age, selection of the honoree shall be by the Board of Selectmen and the Town Clerk (Boothbay Harbor Town Office).
The Chairman of the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen or his/her designee shall present Boothbay Harbor’s oldest resident with a certificate signifying the honor. 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/she lives even though another resident may become eligible. The Town Clerk’s Office must be notified if the recipient of the Boston Post Cane dies or otherwise refuses or returns the honor. At that time the Town Clerk shall determine the new oldest resident of Boothbay Harbor and present the name to the Board of Selectmen.(Boothbay Harbor Town Office).
In the image to the right, the newest recipient of the cane, Paul Adams, holds the cane in celebration of his receiving it.
References
Boothbay Register Archives
Boothbay Harbor Town Office. “Boston Post Cane.” Boothbay Harbor Town Office, www.boothbayharbor.org/uploads/visual_edit/boston-post-cane.pdf. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
The Boston Post Cane Information Center. “Maine.” The Boston Post Cane, bostonpostcane.org/the-canes/maine. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
The Boston Post Cane Information Center. “Origins of the Tradition.” The Boston Post Cane, bostonpostcane.org/origins-of-the-tradition. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.