The Boston Post Cane
The story of Vassalboro’s cane: lost for years, recovered from a California antique dealer in 1988, and passed among the town’s honorees ever since.
In 1909, the Boston Post distributed 431 gold-topped ebony canes to New England towns, with instructions to present each one to the oldest living resident. Vassalboro’s cane, made from Gabon ebony with a fourteen-carat gold top, has passed from honoree to honoree ever since, though not without a long detour along the way.
Vassalboro's Oldest Resident
Marian Kennedy Walter, age 103
Mrs. Walter grew up in Vassalboro with fond memories of riding her horse across town to visit friends. Although she lived away for many years, she returned home to her beloved Vassalboro, where at 103 she remains active and independent. Alongside honorary ownership of the Cane, she received a hand-carved walking stick made by Ray Breton of Vassalboro and a certificate recognizing her status as Vassalboro's Oldest Resident.
An Object with a Story
Each Boston Post Cane took approximately a year to make. The head is finished with a fourteen-carat gold top, elaborately sculpted, and the shaft is Gabon ebony brought from the Congo.
Vassalboro's cane was missing for many years, whereabouts unknown, until 1988, when it was purchased from an antique dealer in California and returned to the Society as a gift from Betty Taylor, one of our founders. It has been in Vassalboro's possession ever since, passed from oldest resident to oldest resident.
Timeline
Through the Years
Marian Kennedy Walter
Presented January 18, 2026 at age 103. Vassalboro's current honoree.
Mrs. T. Lois Bulger
Held honorary ownership of the Boston Post Cane from 2020 until her passing on November 13, 2025.
Mrs. Charlotte Eastman
Received the honorary ownership of the cane in 2016 and held it until her passing on January 28, 2020.
Earlier Honorees
Records of earlier honorees are being gathered by the Society. If you have information about a past holder of Vassalboro's Boston Post Cane, please contact us.