Thinking of the Past

With my recent trip to Massachusetts to visit a long ago home of mine, I have continued to think of the people I knew there back in the 1950’s. Yes, these were early days for me, ages 11 through 17, formative years. Perhaps that is why I think back on them so often these days.

Not one of the homes in our old neighborhood was owned by a family I knew back then. Searching internet records, one fellow died in 1972. Another died at 65 in 1987, his wife dying in 2005 at the age of 86. Her kids were playmates of mine, and both live in Florida now. I have searched for a longtime buddy of mine (Buddy Wynn) with no luck at all. Cannot even find his parents obits or information on his surviving brothers. Same with other neighbors.

Well, leaving this behind for 63 years makes searches difficult today. I guess I will just have to live without knowing anything about these folks.

This process, however, kindles an interest in history, both of people and place. Pittsfield, Massachusetts has a long and well recorded history. That is as it should be in Massachusetts. This was a place of the American Revolution, early settlement of our nation from the 1600’s, and so much more following those hallowed dates. The architecture of public buildings and homes of major eras are on full display today. They serve different purposes now than they did in the 50’s. The Atheneum (Library) is now a children’s court, our Church building (an original town meeting hall in 1765) is now used for family recreation purposes. Mansions once used as summer residences in the Gilded Age, now are schools, museums and high-priced spas and resorts.

Some estates have been restored, others converted to music venues like Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony. Unlike Ravinia, the summer venue for the Chicago Symphony, Tanglewood conducts music education classes on several levels for many different age groups, including early professional musicians. Leonard Bernstein was one such student in conducting. Look where that took him! Yes, Tanglewood is more than a performance space. It is a continuation and spread of music genius for hundreds of students annually.

Our residency in the 50’s coincided with the launch of Russia’s Sputnik satellite. That event changed public policy regarding education. Students were pushed into math and science in an attempt to catch up to the Russians. I was part of that and fully expected to become some kind of engineer rooted in sciences. I didn’t, however. I wound up in education, nonprofit development, and local governance. A lot of writing ensued and to this very day.

I have to admit that Pittsfield played a huge role in my intellectual development. The focus then was on education. That theme continued in my life to this day. But Pittsfield also informed me of music at a cellular level. To this very day music is key to my heart and mind. I appreciate it. It fuels thinking and feeling. Granted, this is all classical composers, not contemporary. My mind still explores the universe while listening to Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. Several more as well, but those three are foundational. 

I wonder if today’s youth are challenged and influenced with the arts in their education. In my day, this was considered a major investment in youth. I am so glad I benefitted from such thinking. If we are not making this investment today, perhaps we should. And soon?

November 29, 2023

 

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