To the Editor: Rescued Murals Are Part Of A Unique Sense Of Place

The Larchmont/Mamaroneck community owes multitudes of thanks to Gail Boyle and John Pritts, co-presidents of the Mamaroneck Historical Society, for their superb leadership in helping to rescue the endangered James Fenimore Cooper-related murals at Mamaroneck High School. Along with hundreds of donors, many volunteers, and, especially, a superb and dedicated team of art
conservators, working under an extremely tight deadline, they found ways to avoid what at first had seemed would be certain loss.

Over the past two short months, as I witnessed what was likely their impossible challenge -- to raise enough money very quickly, learn about the intricacies of mural conservation, identify and hire people who could accomplish the task, work effectively with the school district administration, and actually accomplish a job that repeatedly presented unexpected complications -- I came to realize the extraordinary effort that was required to navigate through to a successful conclusion.

It is important that the murals have been saved. They are part of Larchmont/Mamaroneck's unique sense of place. Through time and association, they have become as emblematic of the community, and as distinctive to it, as the Rockingstone, Umbrella Point, and the old Mamaroneck train station.

If all goes well, and the murals get reinstalled into public buildings around town, they will become even more representative, well-known, and valued.

This happy outcome simply could not have become possible without the ardent commitment, skill, tact, and good sense of Gail and John, along with the willingness of so many others to participate.

Don Sackheim
Mamaroneck High School 1963