Sabattus Historical Society

TOWN OF SABATTUS, MAINE

(Formerly Webster, Maine)

BOSTON POST CANE GUIDELINES AND NOMINATION FORM

Click here to open and save the Form: Nomination Form

History

The Boston Post Cane tradition was established in 1909 by Edwin Grozier, Editor and Publisher of the Boston Post Newspaper. A special cane was presented to the Board of Selectmen in 431 towns in New England, to be presented as an honor to each town’s oldest resident. Originally presented to men only, eligibility was opened to women in 1930. The recipient held the honor as long as he/she lived (or moved from the town). In those events the cane would be awarded to the next oldest resident.

Eligibility and Selection

The holder of the Cane must be at least 80 years of age and lived in the Town of Sabattus for the last 10 years. The term ‘resident’ refers to a person who has physically resided year-round at a fixed, permanent, and principal home in the town.

A resident who is temporarily living elsewhere or does not reside in the Town of Sabattus year-round may still qualify as a recipient of the cane. This would be determined by a committee of three. The Boston Post Cane Committee will consist of 2 members of the Sabattus Historical Society and a representative of the Town of Sabattus Municipal Office.

Search Method

There shall be a notice placed in the media looking for nominations for those residents who are known to be the oldest.  Media notification would include local newspapers, the Town of Sabattus and Sabattus Historical Society websites. All nominations must be received by the Sabattus Historical Society 60 days from the date of the posting of the notice in the media. The search may also include an informal survey, and inquiries to senior housing facilities, civic groups, and churches or by nomination from family or friends. 

Nomination Procedure 

Nomination forms will be available from the Sabattus Historical Society, at the Sabattus Town Office and on the Sabattus Historical Society and Town of Sabattus and websites. Residents who can prove their age and who meet eligibility criteria may be nominated.

Selection

Recognizing that the Historical Society has no formal means of identifying the oldest citizen, selection of the honoree shall be by the Boston Post Cane Committee based on submitted nominations and available data as to eligible residents. The Sabattus Historical Society recognizes that the eldest citizen may not wish to receive the title and therefore asserts that in such cases the recognition will be made to the next eldest citizen that wishes to hold the title.

Presentation 

The President of the Sabattus Historical Society or his/her designee shall present Sabattus’s eldest resident with a certificate, replica of the Boston Post cane and a pin to signify the honor. The certificate will be displayed with the honoree’s photograph and a brief biography and the Boston Post Cane at the Sabattus Town Office or a location of the Historical Society’s choice. The location of the presentation will be determined according to the circumstances of the honoree. The recipient will retain this honor as long as he/she lives. The Historical Society must be notified if the honoree of the Boston Post Cane dies or otherwise refuses or returns the honor. At that time the search/nomination selection procedure will be initiated to choose a new recipient.