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| The New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, Greenwich, as seen from the spire of the Second Congregational Church. |
I extend my sincerest thanks to the following for making the March 25, 2020 broadcast possible: Catherine Ladnier and John Mickey Robinson; Kevin M. J. O'Connor of The Jeffrey Matthews Group; Sue Hill McClenachan and listeners to the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show on Radio 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere.
In a time in history dominated by a relentless global coronavirus, lockdowns and social distancing what are we to do? I have a suggestion! Our historic cemeteries and burying grounds afford a unique opportunity to gaze back at the past while providing social distancing practices you won’t find anywhere else.
On the Wednesday, March 25, 2020 broadcast of Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons you’ll relive an encore conversation from 2018 I hosted with New York-based Architect Norm Davis.
Norm -who is a descendant of some of Greenwich's founding families including the Mead’s- tells us the story of the discovery of a wayward early Greenwich gravestone for Rachel Mead who died in 1799 that was found in his father's Port Chester NY backyard. Stored in the house for many years -and with the house on the market- the grave marker needed to be repatriated to its proper place. The stone now stands in its proper place in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to Greenwich’s iconic Second Congregational Church.
Rightfully Hers is a new segment inspired by the exhibit An Unfinished Revolution: The Woman's Suffrage Centennial at the Greenwich Historical Society. Each week you'll be treated to historical factoids from the exhibit on each broadcast focusing on granting women the right to vote. Listen to my conversation with Guest Curator Kathy Craughwell-Varda on the January 15, 2020 show (Click here) (Please note that the Greenwich Historical Society is currently closed).
Author and Artist Eric Sloane wrote in his book The Seasons of America Past, “I am indeed grateful for the good things of this age, yet I feel there were certain things of the past which were good and unimprovable, many of which have become lost…I am forever thankful for living at a time when many of the marks of early America still exist, before that fast-approaching time when they will all have disappeared into a far different landscape.”
So very true in Greenwich -especially as we have seen the demolition and destruction of so much of our history.
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| The Zebediah Mead House, Built 1746, Greenwich Audubon Center. |
I am announcing and asking your help with a community-based collaboration that I’ve initiated with the Greenwich Audubon Center. Along with its rich diversity of habitats there are reminders of its history as an 18th century farmstead featuring the Zebediah Mead House, built in 1746.
With Center Director Eli Schaffer as our host, Sue Hill McClenachan and I paid a visit to this New England gem. A better understanding of our past is invaluable -so our efforts to restore, preserve and eventually open the Zebediah Mead House to the public begins.
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| Host Jeffrey Bingham Mead at Putnam Cottage with a few of his donated heirlooms. |
Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons airs on Radio 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA, FM 105.5 Stamford and WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming. The show is hosted by Jeffrey Bingham Mead, a direct descendant of the 17th century founders of Greenwich, Connecticut. It is the first show ever focused on the stories of Greenwich history as well as that of area communities. Tune-in every-other Wednesday morning after the top-of-the-hour 9:00 a.m. news.
You can contact Jeffrey Bingham Mead, the host, at GreenwichATownForAllSeasons@gmail.com.
