Erasing history
While visiting Turners Falls Wednesday, I saw the broken up pieces of the Strathmore Mills pedestrian bridge thrown in pieces in a dumpster or “skip” as the British say. What a delightful name for something used to hold and transport debris.
Not so delightful was the way the bridge, which once transported workers across the canal was treated. The elaborate rails were smashed up, and the built-up riveted trusses cut into small pieces.
This might be an economical way to recycle steel but it was disrespectful for those who appreciate heritage. Couldn’t the rails have been removed for reuse as fencing? Couldn’t the trusses have been lifted out for reuse in a rails to trails program somewhere?
It is becoming more and more apparent to me the answer is “no.” Not since the Great Pandemic swept the nation and destabilized society to a degree reminiscent of the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918?
Remember reading the assigned the writings of the American expat writers of the 1920s? The Roaring Twetnies. “Ain’t We Got Fun?” The lessons learned are that we live for the moment and not consider a future as there isn’t one. The same with climate change? So why save anything? Why bother?
Steve Lindsey
Keene, New Hampshire