HAWLEY — In 2010, after much work to reclaim Hawley’s original Old Town Common, Hawley created a kiosk and a self-guided walking trail for visitors, with signs telling visitors about key buildings in this town, which was settled in 1771.
Now the Sons and Daughters of Hawley is looking for information about who vandalized the kiosk and stole a sign for the Abraham Parker Homestead, where town meetings and church services took place in 1792 and 1793.
Kirby “Lark” Thwing, a member of the Sons and Daughters historical society, has started a Facebook campaign to publicize the vandalism in hopes that someone can help state police find out who damaged the kiosk and took the Parker Homestead marker. He said the damage apparently occurred within the past month.
“It appears someone took a hammer or tire iron to the aluminum-backed sign, completely destroying it,” he said of the kiosk map that details the walking tour.
He said the Old Town Common project, located in a remote section of the town, has been there for six years, but that this is the first instance in which it has been damaged.
The project shows the history of Hawley from about 1796 to about 1850. There is a kiosk, and nine signs that tell the story of buildings, homes, inns and barns.
About three years ago, another historic landmark, the charcoal kiln in the state forest was vandalized during a birthday party celebration. State Police found and brought charges against three young men from surrounding towns.
Although the Old Town Common Historic Site isn’t visited much in the winter, it has been the setting for archaeology research for Mohawk Trail Regional School students, and many student groups from throughout Franklin County have made field trips here.
Thwing said the Sons and Daughters would like to have the Abraham Parker sign returned, as the group will have to spend between $500 to $1,000 to replace the signs and repair the kiosk.
Anyone with information about either is asked to call state police at 625-6311.