Archives Scrapbooks

This image displays a single newspaper page, likely from the Somerville Journal, dated July 9, 1981, covering the contentious issue of the future of Norton’s Woods in Somerville, Massachusetts.

The page is dominated by one main article with the headline:

“A new chapter for Norton’s Woods...”

This article details the ongoing debate over whether to develop the wooded area—owned by Harvard University’s Agassiz School—as a park or sell it for private development. It highlights:

• The site's history, including its acquisition by Harvard in 1898 and its use as a school camp.
• Harvard’s 1972 proposal to sell the land for townhouses and later for senior housing.
• Community opposition led by local residents and the “North American Review” editor, Catherine Eliot Norton, and her husband, Professor Norton.
• A 1980 proposal by Harvard architect Ken Buder to build a “twin-tower plan” with 200+ units, met with strong resistance.
• Arguments for preserving it as a “green lung” for the community, especially for children, versus Harvard’s need for funds and campus expansion.
• The 1981 decision to abandon the twin-tower plan and instead consider maintaining the woods as a park, requiring Harvard to maintain it.
• Quotes from community members, including Mary Louise Lord and Pat Jelien, expressing relief and desire for the land to remain a natural space.
• An inset photograph, captioned “JUST INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE ACADEMY building...” showing an atrium looking out over the woods.

Below the main article is a shorter piece titled:

“Separating cerebral Cambridge and orchideaceae Somerville”

This piece provides historical context, recounting the contentious 1860s dispute when Harvard acquired the land and how the community reacted to development threats over the decades, underscoring the neighborhood’s long-standing attachment to the woods.

In the upper right column, a separate, more literary piece is titled:

“A ‘magical realm of Between’”

This is an excerpt from “The Hidden Green Wall,” a piece by Paul Sachs, originally published by Harvard University Press. It is a reflective, nostalgic essay by Cummings (likely E.E. Cummings), who grew up nearby, describing the woods as a “magical realm” and a boundary (“Between”) separating the sophisticated world of Harvard and Cambridge from the “less elegant” Somerville. It evokes childhood memories of the woods and contrasts the “orchidaceous” Cambridge with the more grounded Somerville.

The page also includes a small box identifying “SOMERVILLE JOURNAL, SOMERVILLE, MA. 02145” and has visible creases, suggesting it is a physical, aged newspaper clipping.

Overall, the page captures a pivotal moment in local history, documenting a community’s struggle to preserve a green space against institutional development, enriched by historical context and literary reflection. The juxtaposition of hard news, historical analysis, and poetic homage gives the page a layered, emotionally resonant quality.

The image shows the inside pages of a newspaper, specifically a section that appears to be from the "Somerville Journal," dated July 9, 1981. The main article, titled "A new chapter for Norton's Woods...," discusses the transformation of Norton's Woods in Somerville, Massachusetts, from a natural wooded area into a park. The article includes several sections of text, discussing the history of the land, previous plans for development, and the eventual creation of the park. There is also a black and white photograph of an interior view of a building, showcasing an atrium and stairwell with people walking. The article is accompanied by a quote from E.E. Cummings titled "A 'magical realm of Between'." The page is part of a larger newspaper, as indicated by the visible pages on either side.

This image shows a page from a newspaper, specifically the Somerville Journal, dated July 9, 1981. The page is labeled as "Page Five" and contains two main articles.

The left article is titled "A new chapter for Norton's Woods..." and discusses the history and development of Norton's Woods, a piece of land in Somerville, Massachusetts. It mentions several key figures such as John Phillips, Wendell Phillips, Samuel A. Eliot, and Charles Eliot Norton, and their involvement with the land. The article also talks about the efforts to preserve the area as a park and the various plans and proposals over the years. There is a subheading titled "Separating cerebral Cambridge and orchidaceous Somerville" which delves into the relationship between the two areas.

The right article is titled "A 'magical realm of Between'" and appears to be an excerpt from a book or a longer piece of writing. It discusses the concept of a "magical realm of Between" and mentions several authors and figures such as Oedipus, Kipling, and Henry James. It also references E.E. Cummings and his work "six nonlectures" originally published by Harvard University Press.

In the center of the page, there is a photograph of the interior of a building with the caption "JUST INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR of the Academy building, an atrium rises to the full height of the building. With windows along two sides of the first floor and all the way around the second floor, most rooms in the House look out to the grounds of the park-like Norton's Woods, which are open to the public during the day. (Davidson photo)".

At the bottom of the page, there is a label indicating the newspaper's name, date, and location.

The image shows a page of a newspaper with two articles. The first article is titled "A new chapter for Norton's Woods..." and features a photograph of a person walking up a staircase in a building. The article discusses the history and future plans for Norton's Woods, a park in Somerville, Massachusetts. The second article is titled "A 'magical realm of Between'" and features a photograph of a person standing in front of a building. The article discusses the history and significance of a building in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and its connection to the nearby Norton's Woods park. The newspaper page also includes a date (July 9, 1981) and a publication name (New England Journal).

An open book has two pages that are shown. The left page has a title "Separating cerebral Cambridge and orchidaceous Somerville" and some text below. The right page has a title "A 'magical realm of Between'" and a photo of a building with people walking inside. The photo has a caption "JUST INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR of the Academy building, an atrium rises to the full height of the building. With windows along two sides of the first floor and all the way across the second floor, the atrium is a great place to walk through, not in somebody's backyard though you are in somebody's backyard rather than in somebody's backyard."

The image depicts an open book with two visible pages, showcasing a mix of text and a central photograph. Here is a detailed description:

Text Content:

1. Left Page:

   • The left page is titled "new chapter for Norton’s Woods..." and discusses the history and development of Norton’s Woods, a park in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
   • The text mentions historical figures such as Samuel A. Eliot, who purchased the land in the early 1800s, and later developments, including the establishment of the park in the late 19th century.
   • It references the park’s role in the community, its use by schools, and its significance as an environmental space. The text also touches on the park’s connection to the Cambridge community, including academic institutions and local residents.

2. Right Page:

   • The right page is titled "A ‘magical realm’ of Between’" and discusses the Harvard University Art Museums, specifically the Fogg Art Museum and the Busch-Reisinger Museum.
   • The text describes the architectural and historical significance of the museums, including their origins, collections, and the surrounding landscape. It mentions the transformation of the area, including the creation of a new park (Norton’s Woods) and its impact on the community.
   • The page also references the Sachs Gallery, the Somerville Journal, and various individuals and organizations involved in the development and preservation of the area.

Photograph:

• The central photograph shows the front entrance of the Harvard University Art Museums, specifically the Fogg Art Museum.
  • Foreground: The entrance is prominently displayed, featuring a grand, classical architectural style with columns and a large, imposing door. The building’s facade is detailed, with stonework and a sense of grandeur.
  • Midground: A pathway leads up to the entrance, flanked by greenery. A few people can be seen walking or standing near the entrance, providing a sense of scale and activity.
  • Background: The surrounding area includes trees and open space, indicating the park-like setting of the museum. The sky appears overcast, giving the scene a soft, muted lighting.

Layout and Design:

• The book appears to be a printed publication, likely a newspaper or magazine, as indicated by the layout and the presence of a date ("JUL 9 1981") and a location ("SOMERVILLE, MA") at the bottom of the right page.
• The text is formatted in a traditional newspaper style, with columns of text and clear headings.
• The photograph is placed centrally, acting as a visual anchor for the accompanying articles.

Overall Impression:

The image conveys a historical and cultural narrative, blending textual analysis with a visual representation of a significant landmark. The juxtaposition of the park’s history (Norton’s Woods) and the art museum’s significance highlights the interplay between urban development, community, and cultural heritage in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The photograph adds depth by showcasing the architectural beauty and serene environment of the Harvard Art Museums.

The image shows a page from an old newspaper, with the headline "A new chapter for Norton's Woods..." and a photo of a person walking down a staircase.

• The page is yellowed and worn, indicating its age.
• The headline is in large font at the top of the page, with the subheading "Separating cerebral Cambridge and orchidaceous Somerville" below it.
• The article discusses the history of Norton's Woods, a park in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and its transformation into a more modern and accessible space.
• The photo shows a person walking down a staircase, with a large window behind them. The staircase appears to be part of a building, possibly a school or library.
• The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to focus attention on the newspaper page.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the past, highlighting the changes that have taken place in Norton's Woods over time.

The image presents a scanned page from an old book or newspaper, featuring a prominent article titled "A new chapter for Norton's Woods..." in bold black text. The article is accompanied by a photograph of a person walking down a hallway with a staircase and windows on the right side.

Key Features:

• Article Title: "A new chapter for Norton's Woods..." in bold black text.
• Photograph: A person walking down a hallway with a staircase and windows on the right side.
• Additional Text: The article continues on the right side of the page, with a headline that reads "A 'magical realm of Between'" in large text.
• Background: The background of the image is a light gray color, providing a neutral contrast to the scanned page.
• Overall Appearance: The image appears to be a scanned page from an old book or newspaper, with a worn and aged appearance.

Conclusion:

The image presents a scanned page from an old book or newspaper, featuring an article about Norton's Woods and a photograph of a person walking down a hallway. The image has a worn and aged appearance, suggesting that it may be from an older publication.

The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Somerville Journal, dated July 9, 1981. The clipping is titled "A new chapter for Norton's Woods... A 'magical realm of Between'" and features a black-and-white photograph of a staircase with a person standing at the bottom.

Key Features:

• Newspaper Clipping: The clipping is from the Somerville Journal, dated July 9, 1981.
• Title: "A new chapter for Norton's Woods... A 'magical realm of Between'".
• Photograph: A black-and-white photograph of a staircase with a person standing at the bottom.
• Article: The article discusses the history and significance of Norton's Woods, a wooded area in Somerville, Massachusetts.
• Context: The clipping is placed on a gray surface, with other papers visible in the background.

Overall Impression:

The image presents a nostalgic and informative glimpse into the history of Norton's Woods, highlighting its importance to the community and its transformation over time. The use of a vintage newspaper clipping adds a sense of authenticity and historical context to the image.

The image presents a scanned or photographed page from a newspaper, specifically the Somerville Journal, dated July 9, 1981. The page is yellowed and appears to be aged.

Headline:
The main headline reads, "A new chapter for Norton's Woods...A 'magical realm of Between'".

Content:
The article discusses the potential transformation of Norton's Woods into a permanent urban park. It highlights the historical significance of the area, which was once the site of a summer camp for children from the neighborhood. The article also mentions that Harvard University had acquired the land and was considering various proposals for its use.

Visuals:
A black-and-white photograph is situated on the right side of the page, depicting a person walking down a staircase in a building. The image is accompanied by a caption that describes the scene.

Context:
The article provides context about the community's involvement in the decision-making process regarding the future of Norton's Woods. It mentions that the neighborhood association had been working with Harvard University to find a solution that would benefit both parties.

Overall:
The image provides a snapshot of a specific moment in time, highlighting the concerns and aspirations of the local community regarding the development of Norton's Woods. The article offers a glimpse into the complex issues surrounding urban planning, community engagement, and the preservation of green spaces.