Boston Post Cane

Boston Post Cane

A tradition that survives the ages

 

In 1891, Edwin Atkins Grozier became the owner of a newspaper called the Boston Post. It was a little-known paper that needed a boost in circulation, which he planned to do with a shipment of canes. He was inspired to create a tradition known as the Boston Post Cane tradition.

The canes were sent to over seven hundred towns in the Northeast, excluding Connecticut and Vermont, with instructions that the cane be presented to the oldest male citizen in their town. The canes, made from gaboon ebony wood from Africa, had a gold cap engraved with “Presented by the Boston Post to the OLDEST CITIZEN of (Town).” Many towns embraced the idea and presented it immediately. Others scoffed at it, with some alluding the cane accelerated one’s passing. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that women were allowed to be bestowed the cane, in part because of the 1920’s passage of the 19^th Amendment which gave women the right to vote.

New Gloucester has been one of the many communities to honor the tradition, presenting the Boston Post Cane to its oldest citizens for decades. The honorees names are affixed to a plaque at the Town Office, with the designated New Gloucester Boston Cane displayed below it. From the first name plate of Frank Copp to the latest recipient Lillian Picard, New Gloucester has continued to follow the guidelines in which the historical cane was presented.

Unfortunately, the Boston Post Cane is looking to be placed once again with the passing of Lillian Picard, and the Town of New Gloucester is seeking its oldest citizen to bestow the honor to.

If you, or someone you know, has established permanent residency in New Gloucester for the last 10 years, are the eldest of the eldest, and are willing to receive this honor, please fill out the attached application to be considered as the next honoree of the Boston Post Cane.

 Click here for the Application