Art Installations | The Mascoma River Greenway

Category Archives: Art Installations

“Wheels”

Posted on September 28, 2024 by uvlocalvores | 2 comments

“Wheels” encapsulates Lebanon’s history in.a neat bundle, from water wheels to railroads and bicycles, with subtle references to the Mascoma River and the Greenway Rail Trail.

As you have walked, run, or biked by the “Wheels” sculpture on the MRG (behind the “Miracle Mile”) have you ever wondered about its meaning? “Wheels” celebrated the opening of the Mascoma River Greenway and was envisioned by Susan K. Johnson of Lebanon.

The waterwheel represents Lebanon’s first sawmill, built in 1763, just downstream from this spot. The steam engine wheel represents the railroad that arrived in 1847. The river and railroad tracks are a map of the current MRG, and the bike wheel represents part of the trail’s purpose today.

One of the MRG’s missions is to connect West Lebanon and Lebanon. This junction of trail, river and road marks the midpoint between the two towns.

This public art project was sponsored by The AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon Recreation and Parks, and the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition.

Roger Goldenberg, the former Studio Manager for the Bente Torjusen West Sculptural Studies Building at AVA Gallery and Art Center, was essential in the construction of “Wheels”. He generously gave advice and crucial assistance, and designed and built the supporting brace. Hypertherm.com donated technical knowledge and the use of their facilities for the cutting of the aluminum river. The train wheel was cut by ThirdShiftFabrication.com.

July 21, 2018 susankjohnson.com

Here is a bit of history about the original Oliver Davison’s Mill that was built near that site in 1762: (Also known aa Hubbard’s Saw and Grist Mill)

Known owners: Oliver Davison until his death in 1769; Davison estate 1769-1775; Thomas Blake, 1775-c. 1784; Richard Kimball, George Hubbard, Luther Waters, George and Erastus Chamberlain, c. 1784-1814; Samuel Tucker, 1814; William Knight, 1817; Thomas Rae; Uriah Amsden and Orren Hubbard, 1825-1826; Philip Cambridge, 1826-after 1839.

Status & Significance: Rebuilt after 1770 fire. Later became a saw and grist mill, then the cloth dressing mill of Philip Cambridge in the 1830s. Gone by 1860. Despite being the first mill in town, the site has been destroyed and holds no archaeological significance.

Text reference: Leavitt; Downs: 13, 38, 55, 98, 239; Child: 410; Carroll: 7, 43, 81; Lebanonian July, 1899: 7. Deed Book 79, p. 448

Location/Associated Sites: Near Dudley (Hubbards) Bridge/Route 4 Bridge Abutments and 1892 Power Station.

For more Info on the historic water mills of Lebanon see https://lebanonnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7051/Mills-of-Lebanon-NH-Presentation

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Posted in Art Installations, History

Expanded “Patchwork” Mural in the MRG Tunnel

Posted on August 22, 2024 by uvlocalvores | 1 comment

On Wednesday’s rainy morning, it was a delight to come upon John Garoutte’s expansion of his “Patchwork” mural in the MRG tunnel, depicting many elements of Lebanon’s history and identity. The title itself, “Patchwork”, reflects Lebanon’s textile history of woolen and cotton mills, The mural is a patchwork of some of Lebanon’s neighborhoods with their New England vernacular architecture, historic buildings, the natural features of trees, hills, waterways, snow and ice, the varied seasons. Packard Hill covered bridge, Mascoma Lake, Storrs Hill.

And in this historic railroad tunnel, a reminder of how we have transported ourselves through the centuries, by river, train, on foot, car, airplane, bikes, skis, and skateboard. Do visit and follow the progress of this vibrant addtion to the MRG tunnel and see what special patches you can identify!

Tunnel Vision – John Garoutte – a Man with a Plan

P.S. Noting the buttons in the mural, I wondered if Lebanon ever had a button factory and came upon this little bit of Lebanon history:

“Henry Wood Carter, born in Concord, NH set up shop out of his house and barn in Lebanon, NH. Dubbed “The Merchant Prince”, Carter became a wide-ranging traveling peddler, driving a series of colorful horse-drawn wagons all around the region. He sold a very long list of notions domestic and foreign, dozens and dozens . . . watches, jewelry, cutlery, combs, thread, silk, buttons, perfumes, soap, wallets, guitar strings, boxes, stationery, brushes, fans, “segars”, you name it.” https://www.ephemerasociety.org/yankee-peddler/#:~:text=Henry%20Wood%20Carter%2C%20born%20in,wagons%20all%20around%20the%20region.