HDC values architecture above human stories
The Black Heritage Trail Markers began to breathe those human stories back into Acton Center.
Through the diligence of the Historic Districts Commission, Acton Center is architecturally “pure” but, in my opinion, devoid of human stories. The Black Heritage Trail Markers began to breathe those human stories back into Acton Center. And I bet tourists would notice and appreciate this human detail. But I must also note that Acton Center is tourist-centric, not resident-centric.
Acton Center is populated by high-end retail stores, art galleries, banks, and real estate agents. When I first moved to town (in 1978), Woolworth was next to the post office, Anderson’s food market was where Main Streets Market & Café is, and the Toy Store and two independent pharmacies were on the corner of Walden and Main Streets. High rents have driven all these stores away — some into closure.
In contrast, West Acton is full of stores that meet life’s daily needs — Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Walden Italian Kitchen, Reflections consignment shop, Acton Teacakes, Nashoba Brook Bakery, and even a shoe repair shop. Its architecture is not regulated and is thus eclectic and inviting. We have murals everywhere that celebrate the people who make West Acton vibrant, and art on our sidewalks. And a poetry phone booth.
The tourists who visit West Acton are typically the cyclists who travel the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and who are directed by the proposed wayfinding signs to West Acton businesses.
An important comparison — the proposed wayfinding signs along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail range from 90 to 117 inches tall and 17 to 50 inches wide. In contrast, the HDC balked at the original 60-by-18-inch size of the Black Heritage Trail Markers and demanded that they be shrunk to 53.3 by 16 inches. Just plain sad.
So, I ask the HDC, which town center serves Acton residents better?
Ellen Quackenbush
Prairie Street
