The bronze plaque originally hung in the warp shed of the Hoosac Cotton Mill and had been purchased by the employees.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A bronze memorial to a former mayor once thought lost to the ages has found a permanent home at City Hall.
Two great-grandsons of Mayor William Kirk Greer traveled to the city on Monday for the unveiling of the plaque on a column outside City Hall.
"History is very important to us here in North Adams," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "So we're certainly delighted to have an opportunity to restore this."
Greer served as mayor from 1923 to 1924 and while his name might not ring any bells, a century ago he was a prominent and popular citizen.
"This is really a rededication because this was originally in one of the mill buildings here many years ago and it honored somebody who I've come to understand was actually quite a remarkable figure in history," said his great-grandson William Kirk Greer, who goes by Kirk.
Kirk Greer and his cousin, Robert Duker of Arizona, said this was the perfect time for the unveiling, marking 100 years since Mayor Greer took office. It was also two days before his 151st birthday.
The plaque doesn't honor his time in office or his other civic contributions but rather the appreciation of the workers he interacted with during his long career in the Hoosac Cotton Mills.
It was dedicated in front of 350 employees, company executives and union leaders in the now demolished warp room of the Union Street mill, according to an article in the North Adams Transcript. Greer, the mill's agent (similar to CEO), was described as being fair and generous, a leader at a critical time in the '30s, a friend to everyone, and "an upright citizen."
Greer only served one term as mayor and ran as the Republican candidate in 1922 on the "demands of party leaders and civic-minded residents," according to the Transcript.
He won by 720 votes over his opponent in what was the biggest election to date with a 76 percent turnout.
Called the city's first "business mayor," he introduced a pay-you-go policy and was considered to have the most business-like administration at that time. He declined, however, to run again for office despite entreaties and that "he was practically assured of election."
He would serve a few months on the city's charter revision committee, and for years as a director of the North Adams National Bank and of North Adams Savings Bank, of which he was president. He also served during the war as the city's industrial protection director for the Office of Civilian Defense.
"I never met my great-grandfather ... but I did know his children, Henry, Bert and Dorothy," said Kirk Greer, whose grandfather was Henry. He would listen to family members tell stories, and came away with the thought that "here's kind of a really important and dignified gentleman who was a big part of the history of North Adams."
Greer, who attended Williams College, did some research here about his ancestor during one of his trips to the city from his home in Fairfield, Conn.
"What I discovered was a really truly remarkable man," he said. "I now understand why this plaque was raised to him."
Mayor Greer died in 1945 in a New York City hospital. He was only 72. He'd spent his later years in rooms at the Richmond Hotel and at the family farm in Rising Sun, Md., which was sold off in the 1980s.
The plaque that was assumed long gone was found in a workshop on the farm and Kirk Greer decided to take it home.
Local historian and Historical Commission Chairman Paul W. Marino was key to the plaque's return to North Adams.
"One of my cousins sent me one of Paul's articles, a link to the article. ... this little story about this plaque that had gone missing," Greer said. "I said wait a minute, I know where that plaque is."
Greer contacted Marino and discussions about the plaque's future began.
"Everybody thought it would be best that I kept it, but I've never really known what to do with it," said Greer. After 38 years in his possession, and talks with family, it was decided that North Adams was the appropriate place for it.
Macksey said the outside column had been selected because it's a prominent spot that people pass every day. Marino spoke about how too many memorials become "invisible" to residents and stressed the importance of local history.
"This monument used to be seen only by laborers in the Hoosac Cotton Mills," said Marino. "Now it's going to be seen by practically everybody who visits City Hall."
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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan.
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before.
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center.
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This year, the family took on a new challenge, purchasing the historic West End Market building at 437 West Main St. and opening the city's first vegan restaurant, Wish Tree.
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The school received a $64,000 Feigenbaum Foundation grant a couple years ago, but because of supply and shipping delays from the pandemic, the equipment was not delivered until this past winter. click for more
Nearly a dozen residents attended Monday's Conservation Commission meeting to express opposition to a forest management plan that will include logging and the use of herbicides near Notch Reservoir. click for more