The South End Historical Society NEWSLETTER 532 Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-1402 — Vol. 39 No.1, Winter 2011

knew (adults to me, Dr. Merrill Moore children when she Psychiatrist and Poet lived there), and told stories about by alison barnet drinking home- In anticipation of celebrating the made wine with 45th Anniversary of the South the owners of an End Historical Society in 2011, Italian market on we are pleased to publish this Washington Street. profile of a prominent resident of Merrill Moore had the past by longtime South Ender wanted to start a and author Alison Barnet. food co-op on East Springfield Street, n 1935, when Dr. Merrill my former land- Moore arrived at Boston lady had once told City Hospital for his post- me. Despite the Igraduate training in neurology Depression, those and psychiatry, he was already were evidently good the author of 25,000 sonnets. times in a family- His record, according to the oriented, ethnically Journal of the American Medical mixed South End Association, was one hundred in neighborhood. four hours.1 “My husband “[H]e does not compose was a lot more them, he improvises them,” gregarious than I commented writer/editor Louis am,” wrote Mrs. Untermeyer. “He dictates them Merrill Moore, 1938 Moore. Indeed, a to his wife, jots them down to be three sons and a daugh- Boston Post reporter in shorthand between cases, ter) — bought a house close to noted in 1935, “Nobody else [and] forms them driving home the hospital. “I do have many of my acquaintance knows as during pauses in traffic while happy memories of our life at 39 many people as Merrill Moore. the lights change from red to East Springfield Street, between He is on terms with perfectly green.”2 Although many of Dr. 1935 and 1940,” his widow, Ann equal friendliness with janitors Moore’s poems were not, strictly Leslie Moore, an artist, wrote and college professors, with speaking, sonnets, they were to me half a century later. She street sweepers and college always fourteen lines. remembered several people on presidents. He is one of those The young Moore fam- East Springfield Street, some extraordinary people who have ily — wife and two sons (soon of whom I’d heard about or continued page 2 p

Celebrating the 28th Year of the South End Landmark District 2 The South End Historical Society Newsletter 3

pcontinued from page 1 pcontinued from page 2 2010 Annual Report Dr. Merrill Moore member would bring to the meeting his small s the south end historical society Poem by Psychiatrist and Poet stint of poetry,” wrote poet/editor John Crowe continues its 44th year and I continue Ransom, “but Moore would bring twenty, thirty, into my seventh year as its president, I Moore a way of being or fifty brand-new sonnets as his exhibit.”4 wish to thank all of you, every member of the always at the A “Merrill Moore looks the part of both the Society, for another year of participation and hard I Think That It Is Later center of events. poet and the earnest physician,” wrote a Boston work. I also wish to thank our executive director Than You Think If an accident It is possibly later than you think, Post reporter in 1935. “He is 32 years of age, six feet Hope Shannon and the entire board of directors happens on the tall, not too thin, with a quiet bearing of the tra- for their tireless efforts. The Society cannot per- It is likely later than you think, street, fate will It is usually later than you think, ditional Southern gentleman; sandy hair, inclined form its mission without their hard work and dedi- have it that It is somewhat later than you think, to red; a good listener, but with an earnestness of cation, program planning and nighttime landmarks Merrill Moore It is considerably later than you think, speech which is characteristic.”5 hearings. As I reflect on another year of economic should be It is a whole lot later than you think, Moore’s first books of poetry were collections uncertainty and the possibility of economic recov- passing.”3 It is sometimes later than you think, of poems from The Fugitive magazine: The Noise ery, I am thankful that we remain fiscally strong. Merrill It is a good deal later than you think, That Time Makes (1929) and Six Sides to a Man We continue to tighten our belts, but our ability to It is always later than you think, Moore was born (1935), about which one reviewer wrote, “Merrill carry on the fight remains undeterred. It is by all odds later than you think, in Tennessee in Moore’s Six Sides to a Man is the sort of book that We appreciate that you have attended our It is surely later than you think, 1903. His father, touches off impassioned debate of the question, programs and meetings and encouraged your It is certainly later than you think, John Trotwood ‘Yes, but is it poetry?’” In 1938, Moore came out friends and neighbors to do the same. Programs It is definitely later than you think, Moore, was with a hefty volume called M, which stood, of ranging from The Great Fire of Boston to a It is undoubtedly later Tennessee’s Poet course, for one thousand. If this wasn’t enough, Victorian period Singing Duo broaden the depth than you think . . . Laureate. Merrill Moore admitted it was “part of a larger work, still of our understanding of the rich tradition of the Dr. Merrill Moore, M: One Thousand graduated from in progress” of 50,000 sonnets.6 Some critics later South End that we champion. Autobiographical Sonnets, 1938 Vanderbilt Uni- counted 100,000. We appreciate that you have participated in versity in 1924 Moore was always in good intellectual com- our fundraising efforts and have donated what and Vanderbilt 39 East Springfield in 1972 pany. Distinguished poets , you can.We are able once again to report a suc- Medical School , , and William cessful 42nd Annual House Tour in October. We four years later. While an undergraduate, he became a member of Carlos Williams wrote introductions and epi- will work diligently to reinvigorate the Annual the then unknown group of poets called The Fugitives. “Another logues for his books; famous artists Rockwell Spring Event next May. continued page 3 p Kent and illustrated them. We appreciate that you have volunteered your Moore’s subjects ranged from eels to af- time to our committees and projects. However, Extravaganza King Is the Subject of Her Book ternoon naps to baths (“Water, what is water? we must remain vigilant.While our continued lison Barnet is a known for his musical theater What is soap?”) but didn’t seem to include the presence at South End Landmarks Commission longtime South Ender that the First Corps of Cadets South End. It’s unlikely he meant the Washing- meetings has helped to preserve the rich fabric and the author of the hired him to stage productions ton Street El in “Streets in Dislocation, Stolid of the South End and has helped teach those bookA Extravaganza to raise money to build Snow…” but maybe he did. around us about its economic and aesthetic value, King: Robert Barnet and the armory, known the uncertainty of these times continues to create Boston Musical Theater. today as the Park On the snow-piles in the gutters of pressure to circumvent or ignore historically ap- In her book, Alison Plaza Castle. The lav- propriate and sensitive solutions. We need to ask Streets the Elevated ran above discusses the life of ish productions gained even more of your generosity. her great-grandfather Barnet the nickname And shook to their foundations momently [sic] I look forward to meeting with more of Robert Barnet, a suc- “Extravaganza King” As if they quaked to fall apart and die.7 you this year at our functions, programs, and cessful Boston sugar and became so popular meetings. Thank you all again. merchant who wrote and Park Plaza that many of the shows Castle, Boston By the late 1930s, Moore was an assistant Michael Leabman, president produced musical theater traveled the country. visiting neurologist and psychiatrist at City productions. He became so well continued page 6 p 4 The South End Historical Society Newsletter 5

Upcoming Events This newsletter is published by Membership the South End Historical Society, oin us on February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at 532 Inc. © Copyright 2011 Renewal Massachusetts Avenue for “The Legacy of the Merchant The SEHS Newsletter is just one lease send your member- Princes of Boston: The Philanthropy of the Nineteenth- benefit of membership in the Society; ship renewals for the 1972 Prints a nonprofit organization dedicated to — Century Boston Brahmins,” a presentation by Christopher recognizing, preserving, and recording year January 1, 2011 Now Available J the historical buildings, monuments, December 31, 2011. Yearly Donohue. A light reception will follow. RSVP required. Please RSVP parks, and artifacts of Boston’s South P ictures from the by calling (617) 536-4445 or emailing admin@southendhistoricalso- single memberships are $25 End and through advocacy, outreach, South End Historical ciety.org. documentation, and education to pre- and family/dual memberships serve them for future generations. are $40. Additional opportuni- Society’s 1972 survey 42nd Annual House Tour Individual membership is $25 per of all extant buildings are year, Family/Dual memberships are ties to support the society are Is a Tremendous Success $40, and opportunities to support the also available at the $100 Pavailable for purchase. The Society at various levels including images are digitized and hank you to everyone who supported our 42nd Supporting ($100), Patron ($150) and Supporting, $150 Patron, and available in jpeg format at Annual House Tour. We exceeded our goal and could not Benefactor ($250) are also available. $250 Benefactor levels. Please The opinions expressed by the con- 300 dpi. have done it without your participation. Please visit our tributors to the newsletter are not nec- send cash or check to The If you are interested in sponsors, listed on our website at www.southendhistoricalsociety. essarily those of the SEHS. Ideas for South End Historical Society, T stories and manuscripts are welcome. 532 Massachusetts Avenue, purchasing an image or if org/programs. A special thank you to Shambalai Plantscapes for Unsolicited manuscripts submitted for you require another format making our front garden look beautiful for the tour. They can be possible publication and not used will Boston, MA 02118. be returned if they are accompanied or resolution, please contact reached at (781)894-1183, email: [email protected]. Cast Iron Questions? by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. us at (617) 536-4445 or email A special thank you as well to C.A.D. Commonwealth Services, Those interested in reprinting articles eed help restor- us at admin@southendhis- Inc. for painting our front stoop for the tour. They can be reached must obtain written permission from the editor. ing, repairing, or toricalsociety.org. at (617) 795-7077. The South End Historical Society replacing your cast- 532 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA iron fence? 02118; (617) 536-4445 The South End Historical www.southendhistoricalsociety.org N Society can help. Please call or Executive Director: Hope Shannon email the SEHS office at (617) Design & Production: Emily Domurad and Paul L. Seier 536-4445 or admin@southen- Contributors: Alison Barnet dhistoricalsociety.org for more 181 West Brookline Street, a part of our 2010 House Tour, photographed in 1972 as part information. of the South End Streets Survey Welcome to our New Members Keith Aleo Mark and Karen Scott Beane Kangas Sean Burke Stuart and Monique Tonja and Carlton Landucci 536 Massachusetts Avenue Conley Dennis and Patti Larry Cristofari Langel Jennifer and Ian William and Deason Catherine Maro South End Historical Society Officers Peter DiBiaso Kelsey McDonough Ellen Dolnansky and John Milligan and And Board of Directors Don Ingber Robert Gravis Michael Leabman, President John Neale, Historian Peter Erichsen and Elaine Murphy David Palumb Ray Pohl and Lisa Maryellen Hassell, First Vice President Paul Odelson, Meetings and Evan Gallivan Botticelli Rob Kilgore, Second Vice President Functions Chair Barrie and Jon Judson and Aliza Susan Park, Treasurer Kelly Robbins, Fundraising Gollinger Samuels Anne Smart, Secretary Director-at-large Rachel Goodrich Mark Strickland Paul Curtis, Director-at-large Nancy Parker Wilson, Paul and Donna Karen and Stuart Joan Hull, Curator Fundraising Chair Grogan Watson Gregory Hanselman Randa Wilkinson Cathy Marotta, Harvey Wolkoff, Counsel John Iarussi and Gilbert and Community Relations Chair Jonathan Wheeler Karen Winn Albert Wright Renaissance revival style 6 The South End Historical Society Newsletter 7 pcontinued from page 3 ean Gibran, A South End Hospital (now Boston Medi- SEHS Thanks Members he south end historical Society extends a resident for fifty-two years, cal Center), a private practice, special thanks to longtime members John Neale and Dr. has generously donated which, incidentally, was run Stephen Boswell. They recently bequeathed a legacy gift an album containing reviews, by local historian Doug- J to the SEHS, helping to assure that our work continues and benefits articles, and statements about lass Shand-Tucci’s mother. T Kahlil Gibran, her late husband, future generations. Among famous patients an internationally known paint- seen there were poet Robert er, sculptor, and craftsman. He Lowell — the Lowells were was cousin to the poet, Gibran family friends — and the- Kahlil Gibran, who immigrated ater director Joshua Logan. to the South End with his fam- Both bipolar, they led Moore ily in 1895. Both Gibrans lived on a merry chase, although in what is now Chinatown and at times it was hard to say attended the Abraham Lincoln whose behavior was more School. After his graduation manic, patient or doctor. from The English High, then In his autobiography, Josh, on Warren Avenue, the sculptor My Up and Down, In and attended Museum School and Out Life, published in 1976,8 lived at 15 Fayette Street in Bay Logan paints a largely un- Village before moving to West flattering portrait of Moore, main facade, late nineteenth century Canton Street. His work graces writing: “During the consulta- End in 1940, moving into their Footnotes several Boston sites, including tion hours, M would lope in waterfront summer cottage 1 Journal of the American Medical Hayes Park where “West Can- and autograph one of his books in the Squantum section of Association, July 13, 1935. ton Street Child” has presided with an elaborate inscription to Quincy, which they gradually 2 Louis Untermeyer, Sewanee over the center circular garden me… I avoided reading them, expanded into a twenty-three Review, January 1935. since 1992. but I couldn’t avoid his recit- room, year-round home with a 3 Andrew F. Donnell, “Man ing them to me, which he did doctor’s office suite downstairs. is Fact and Woman is Guess, Dr. Stephen Boswell and John Neale constantly…. Boston Post, February 10, 1935 (in His oldest son Adam, also a aul Hayes “Gee, Merrill, that’s remark- Six Sides to a Man, 1935). doctor, lived in the house and and Curt able. I’ve never been able to 4 John Crowe Ransom, Fore- practiced family medicine there Fishman write a play that way. It takes word to The Noise That Times into the late 1990s. Longtime kindly donated me month and months….” South End resident Ron Ged- Makes, 1929, p. ix. P a large framed “I should have seen that he 5 Andrew F. Donnell, “Man des grew up two houses from mirror to the SEHS. was my personal Keystone Kop,” is Fact and Woman is Guess, the Moores, and he remembers It originally housed wrote Logan. “I wondered if I Boston Post, February 10, 1935 (in Merrill Moore fondly. When a picture and hung was making a mistake allowing Six Sides to a Man, 1935). Ron’s brother came down with at the Warren him to get so close to me and to 6 Merrill Moore, “Statement,” spinal meningitis, Moore saved Avenue Baptist my family.”9 M, 1938. his life. Church. After a After Life magazine did a 7 “Streets in Dislocation, Stolid Leaving behind filing fire at the church in long story on Logan in 1949, Snow …”, M, p. 552. Hayes frame cabinets full of poems, Merrill 1967, Paul and Curt which mentioned Moore, 8 Joshua Logan, Josh: My Up and Moore died of cancer in 1957; he rescued the frame from the building and refitted it with a mirror. Moore became something of Down, In and Out Life, 1976, p. was only 54. The city tore the building down shortly after the fire. The site is a celebrity. It was said his new 167. Photo credit: Henry W. now the home of Hayes patients included Nobel laureate Wells, Poet and Psychiatrist 9 Ibid., pp. 182, 299. Park. Thank you, Paul and Kahlil Gibran at work on the chandelier he playwright Eugene O’Neill. Merrill Moore, M.D., A Critical Curt. designed for the opening of the Exhibition of The Moores left the South Portrait, 1955 New England Art at the Cyclorama, 1971 U. S. Postage The South End Historical Society Non-Profit Org. 532 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02118–1402 PAID Address Correction Requested BOSTON, MA

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