Preserve The Wayside and its artifacts
The home should be cared for because of its historical value. For us there is a devotional value.
I am writing to express my concern about the situation of The Wayside. This summer I arranged a trip for a few of our sisters to visit, as it was the home for some years of our foundress, Mother Mary Alphonsa — Rose Hawthorne.
Unfortunately, we found it closed and were told it was open only two days this past summer. The website did not reflect that. Seeing the house from the outside, we could see the decline that is taking place. We are very concerned that if this situation is allowed to continue, the home will decay and the artifacts will be lost.
While in Acton we spoke with several people regarding the situation. We know that the home is under the protection of the National Park Service. We were told that the house is not open due to lack of personnel and, I believe, funding. We have written to the Park Service and the Hawthorne Society but have had no response.
The home should be cared for because of its historical value. For us there is a devotional value. What will be the future of the home and the artifacts? Thank you for your attention.
Mother Marie Edward, OP
Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, New York
