2023 Conservation Projects
Conservation Items
Six Concealment Shoes
On April 11th, 2008 during a restoration project at the Hancock-Clarke House a very exciting discovery was made in the Reverend Clarke study on the North facing wall attached to the children's room. The shoes are estimated to be from the 1750s-1780s. The shoes were likely put there by the Reverend Clarke family.
It is not uncommon to find concealment shoes over northeast facing windows, exterior walls, or near fireplaces. The superstition was common in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was said to bring good luck or ward off evil spirits in a newly built or renovated home. Interestingly, concealment shoe placement seems to have increased around times of fear. It has been found that superstitious practices have always been known to resurface in times of war. However, why these shoes were placed in this wall still remains a mystery.
Thanks to you, we have raised 64% of our fundraising goal of $10,000.
Founding Father Signatures
The signatures share two important stories about the men and their ties to Lexington.
Patriots John Hancock and Samuel Adams were guests at Reverend Jonas Clarke’s home when they were awakened by Paul Revere and his famous warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775.
On November 5th, 1789 George Washington stopped at Munroe Tavern on his initial tour of the Northeast as this brand new country’s first President. He came to Lexington to see where the first blood of the American Revolution was shed, and it was an honor for the Munroe family and the town to host him for dinner.
We have raised only 8% of our fundraising goal of $3,835.
