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LEEDS — With the passing of Rose Ames on March 12, at age 104, the Leeds Historical Society, in conjunction with the town, is looking for the next holder of the Boston Post Cane.
The Boston Post Cane is presented to the town’s oldest resident, and town and historical society officials are trying to determine who that is.
In order to be considered the town’s oldest resident, you must have resided in and or been eligible to vote in Leeds for the last 20 years.
The Boston Post Cane tradition began in 1909, when the Boston Post newspaper distributed the canes to towns throughout New England with instructions that each should be presented to the oldest man in the town, to be used by him as long as he lives, or until he moves away. The newspaper said that the cane would belong to the town and not the man who received it. Women were included in 1930. The cane is made from Gabon ebony and its head is finished with a 14-carat gold top and is elaborately sculpted.
As many as 700 canes were originally conferred, and 517 towns in New England have reported they still bestow it, according to the Maynard Mass. Historical Society, which once had an extensive history on the Boston Post Cane on its website.
The newspaper folded in 1956, but the tradition outlives it, including in Leeds.
If you think you are, or know of someone who might be the oldest resident in town, contact the Leeds Town Office at 524-5171.
PHOTO: The head of a Boston Post Cane (Maynard Mass. Historical Society photo)
