Dedicating Brister's Hill

Senator Edward M. Kennedy participated in the dedication of Thoreau’s path on Brister’s Hill, named after Brister Feeman, a freed slave who lived with his family near Walden Woods. The site was the inspiration for Thoreau’s beliefs in social reform in his essay, “Civil Disobedience.” Kennedy was joined by Congressmen John Lewis and Marty Meehan, Don Henley, Whoopi Goldberg and supporters of the Walden Woods Project

“May the powerful words of here of past giants in the cause of conservation, the environment, non-violence and tolerance inspire us – and future generations – to honor those ideals too,” Senator Kennedy said.

The Walden Woods Project preserves the land, legacy, and literature of Henry David Thoreau to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Below are Senator Kennedy’s remarks.

(As prepared for delivery)

“Being here today brings back beautiful memories. I spent many weekends in these woods as a child. My mother grew up not far from Walden. She loved it here, and she often brought us to the Pond for family outings.

After visits to Walden, mother would ask us to think about how long the woods had existed, the memories of so many who had enjoyed them before us, and the importance of preserving them for the future.

They were lessons for a lifetime. In our home, mother tolerated none of the civil disobedience that Thoreau supported, but she did instill in each of her children an abiding respect for nature and the environment.

Mother would be very pleased that President Kennedy’s words are inscribed in one of the granite stones in the Reflection Circle along Thoreau’s Path. He said, “It is our task, in our time and in our generation, to hand down undiminished to those who come after us, as was handed down to us by those who went before, the natural wealth and beauty which is ours. To do this will require constant attention and vigilance – sustained vigor and imagination.”

We try our best to be faithful to those words.

The restoration of Brister’s Hill and the creation of Thoreau’s Path is an excellent example of that approach. Brister Freeman was a freed slave who lived her and it’s an historic site studied extensively by Thoreau. Many of our modern scientific principles about the growth of forests came from Thoreau’s setting aside land for conservation. He wrote, “Each town should have a park, or rather a primitive forest, of five hundred or a thousand acres, where a stick should never be cut for fuel, a common possession forever, for instruction and recreation.”

Now, thanks to the efforts of the Walden Woods Project and its supporters, Brister’s Hill will be protected forever – a fitting place for reflection and preservation.

The men and women whose timeless words are inscribed in the Reflection Circle created an American ethic of land preservation of our natural resources.

So, it’s a very moving and special honor for me to be here for the dedication of Thoreau’s Path on Brister’s Hill. It’s impressive to see the enthusiasm and excellent artwork and writing of the students here with us today. Brister’s Hill offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about both nature and the conservation and social justice themes highlighted on Thoreau’s Path. In the years to come, people will come and be inspired by the peace they can find. It’s an impressive accomplishment and I commend all those whose work made it possible.

Don has brought us together here to do what is right for the important parcel of land, and for the legacy of Thoreau and Walden Woods. We know the job isn’t finished. More land needs to be preserved before Walden Woods is fully protected – and I strongly support this effort.

Because of Don and all of you who have joined him in this effort, the extraordinary heritage of Walden Woods will continue. It’s a proud day for Concord and our Commonwealth, and I congratulate each of you.

May the powerful words of here of past giants in the cause of conservation, the environment, non-violence and tolerance inspire us – and future generations – to honor those ideals, too.

This is truly an inspiring place. Well done, and thank you all very, very much.”