History of The Boston Post Cane in Boothbay Harbor
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 first Boston Post Cane recipient in Boothbay Harbor was Joseph Warren Welch, who received the cane in 1909, the same year the tradition began. Since then, the cane has been presented 27 recorded times, the most recent being Mr. Paul B Adams, who received the cane on July 22, 2022. The first woman to receive the cane in Boothbay Harbor was Evelyn Foye in 1974.
(To the left, Edna Greenleaf recieves the Boston Post Cane)
Boothbay Harbor's Boston Post Cane
The Boston Post Cane itself has an ebony body with a 14-carat gold head enscribed with the text:
Presented by
THE BOSTON POST
to the
OLDEST CITIZEN
of
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
(to be transmitted)
The Boston Post Cane Nowadays
Today, the Boston Post Cane remains located at the Boothbay Harbor Town Hall for safekeeping and is only used at ceremonies. Recipients of the Boston Post Cane are now gifted with a Certificate of Recognition.
To the left, Paul Adams receives his certificate of recognition. From left to right, there is Town Clerk Michelle Farnham, Town Manager Julia Latter, Boston Post Cane Recipient Paul Adams, and Selectboard Chair Mike Tomko.
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.