History

14 Years Later: Plaque Proclaiming JP as ‘Eden of America’ Being Reinstalled at Post Office

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A plaque from 1976 proclaiming Jamaica Plain as the "Eden of America" will be reinstalled Wednesday at the Centre Street post office more than a decade after it was removed due to construction. The plaque will be reinstalled by the Bulfinch Company June 27 during a short ceremony starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Jamaica Plain Post Office (655 Centre St.). The plaque is the third in a series of bicentennial plaques that were reinstalled after being relocated in the last two years, said Gretchen Grozier, president of the Jamaica Plain Historical Society (JPHS). Many similar plaques were installed during the bicentennial in 1776 throughout Boston neighborhoods. The one by the post office was on the Myrtle Street side of the old post office and reads, "Jamaica Plain is the Eden of America."

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City Services

CPA $ Recommended for Affordable Housing, Olmsted Park and Franklin Park Bears Frieze

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Boston is recommending that Community Preservation Act funds be used for 35 projects across the city, including for affordable housing in Jamaica Plain. "The Community Preservation Act is a new tool that will help take our work on affordable housing, historic preservation and open space to the next level," said Mayor Marty Walsh via press release. "I am proud to recommend these important projects for funding approval, which represent a wide range of needs and will build strong neighborhoods throughout our city." The city previously called for applications for projects that require less than $500,00 to begin construction by this fall. The recommended projects were broken into several categories: historic preservation, affordable housing, recreational use and open space, and blended historic preservation/recreational use and open space.

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History

JP Historical Society Launches Walking Neighborhood Tour Series

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Twenty-three years ago the then president of the Jamaica Plain Historical Society, Rhea Becker, had an idea. Why not conduct a series of walking tours during the summer months as a way to highlight the rich history of JP for people? The JPHS has been conducting historic walking tours of Jamaica Plain tours ever since. From the four tours that debuted on the schedule in 1995, the offerings have now expanded to include seven different tours. Each tour lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

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History

Online Sale Fundraising for Loring-Greenough House

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Proceeds from an online sale that includes a vintage telescope, a pearl pendant brooch and more will go to helping restore the Loring-Greenough House. The sale is being run through the Everything But The House website through April 6th, and portions of the proceeds will go the Loring-Greenough House. "Double the pleasure of shopping by knowing that your purchase will help preserve our neighborhood gem, the Loring-Greenough House, and will support our popular programs," said Diane Spears, president of the Loring-Greenough House. "Plans are afoot to restore and rehab the kitchen. A study is now underway to determine the feasibility of adaptive rehabilitation of the Ell, largely left untouched since its construction in 1911."

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History

You Look Good for Your Age, Eliot School!

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The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain is throwing itself a 340th birthday yard party this Friday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family-friendly evening will include a live musical performance by the Funky Bubblers, cake and ice cream from JP's own FoMu Alternative Ice Cream and Monumental Cupcakes, an appearance by the Jamaica Mi Hungry food truck, and activities for kids including making T-shirts and party hats. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, picnic blankets and cash for activities and refreshments. The party is sponsored by FoMu and Jamaica Plain Porchfest. The Eliot School, which is located at 24 Eliot St. in Jamaica Plain, offers crafts and fine arts classes for all ages.

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