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HISTORY
David S. Lynch Memorial Park has a long and storied past. These sixteen acres were
originally known as Woodbury's Point. During the Revolutionary War, Beverly was immensely important to the Patriot
cause, particularly after the British closed Boston Harbor in June 1774. The "Birthplace of the American Navy," Beverly
was depended upon to disrupt British supply lines. Woodbury Point's fort with its seven gun battery was in turn relied
upon to protect the important port.
In later years, Boston's elite looked to the North Shore's Gold Coast to build their vast summer homes. Woodbury's
Point eventually became Burgess Point which came to be controlled by the Evans family. The Evans' transformed the estate
into one of the finest on the North Shore. In the summers of 1909 and 1910, President Taft leased the
Stetson cottage which stood on today's Rose Garden. He made the cottage his summer White House. Beverly basked in the
world's spotlight, as important leaders from around the world came to "Beverly Massachusetts, Garden City and
Summer Capitol of the United States". Taft signed the "Treaty of Beverly" here, which laid the foundation for
future U.S. tariff policies.
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| After the summer of 1910, President Taft was informed by
Mrs. Evans that his summer White House would no longer be available to him, as she was planning to construct an Italian
Rose Garden in its place. Rumor has it that Mrs. Evans was annoyed with the bustle that accompanied her esteemed tenant.
The Secret Service constantly stopped, questioned and badgered her guests, while souvenir seekers dug up her garden,
climbed her trees and even ripped off pieces of her house. The President moved to Corning Street and the cottage was
moved by barge to Peache's Point in Marblehead, where it can still be seen today.
Mrs. Evans then built, within the foundation of the cottage, the sunken Italian Rose Garden we see
today. Rare plants and shrubs were imported from around the world.
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| "The Falconer" on its white marble base stands
guard between the Lynch Park Rose Garden and the seawall. The statue was inspired by the original "Falconer" in Central
Park which was in sight of Mr. Evans' window as he lay sick in a New York hospital. After his recovery he had it
commissioned and cast at the Gorham Foundry in Newburyport in the 1920s.
The original Falconer, sculpted by George Blackall Simonds in 1872, can be found near West 72nd street in
Central Park in New York. Another copy of the statue can be found at the Society of Fine Art at Trieste. Simonds
(1844-1929) was "Master of the English Art Workers' Guild" from 1884-1885. The Falconer has been referred to as his
best-known work. The method used in the sculpture of the Falconer was the lost wax-casting method.
The Falconer depicts a larger than life-sized "Elizabethan" costumed youth striding forward with his right leg while
releasing a falcon from his outstretched left hand. The idealized Greek form and finely detailed surface give rise to the
prominence and power of the Falconer's "conqueror of nature" theme. |
Photo by: George Mulcahey |
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| After the deaths of the Evans, Mrs. Evans' sisters, Belle and
Abbie Hunt took over the land. Miss Belle purchased the adjoining property and Monastery in 1927 from Elizabeth Sohier.
It was remodeled as a replica of a villa of which Miss Belle was very fond and had occupied for many years in Florence,
Italy. Doors from a prehistoric Chinese temple were shipped back by the sisters when touring the Orient. Extravagantly
furnished, a stream of running water flowed in a cascade beside the interior staircase and on the huge fireplace was
inscribed the poem, "What to Talk," by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. On the ocean side, a stone wall from the Monastery ended
in a little tower. Miss Belle used to occasionally mount the steps into the cupola and watch workmen on the estate,
unobserved.
Sadly, it was destroyed by arson in 1966. |
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David S. Lynch
Where does David Lynch fit in you ask? He owned a leather manufacturing plant and never lived on the land that now bears
his name. He traveled extensively and once in London passed a group of people peering into a beautiful park from behind
iron gates. He asked the people why they didn't go inside and enjoy the park's natural splendor. When told it was a
private park, he vowed to make sure that everyone in his native Beverly would have a scenic place to go and enjoy the
outdoors. He died in 1942 and bequeathed $400,000 to the Lynch Park Board of Trustees to buy and maintain a public park.
Meanwhile, the Hunt sisters died in 1936, and left their land to Beverly Hospital. By the early forties, the hospital,
with the land's expensive upkeep, was having problems finding a useful purpose for it. It was an ideal situation for both
buyer and seller. $50,000 later the city had a new public park. David S. Lynch Memorial Park was born. The deed was
transferred to the city on June 23, 1943. The rest is indeed history...
Lynch Park was sold to the city from the Beverly Hospital Corporation in 1943. Then known as the Hunt property, Lynch
Park was left to the Beverly Hospital Corporation in the will of Belle Hunt with the thought that the Monastery would be
used for patients leaving the hospital.
The boundaries of the property were described in both the "Agreement of Sale" and the deed as Ober Street, the Atlantic
Ocean, and land formerly owned by William D. Sohier, Rice, and Shuman. The amount of the purchase was $50,000 to be paid
by the money left to the city by David S. Lynch. The "Agreement of Sale" is dated April 5, 1943 and signed by Frederick
Ayer, President of the Beverly Hospital Corporation and Daniel E. McLean, Mayor of Beverly. The deed is dated
June 23, 1943.
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| Weddings
The Rose Garden at Lynch Park is the perfect setting for your outdoor wedding and/or the
perfect backdrop for beautiful pictures. Formerly the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Evans and the vacation home of President
William Taft, this 85 year old rose garden, modeled after those in Italy, blooms each spring in brilliant color. Pinks,
yellows, reds, oranges, purples and white bordered by rolling lawns and lush greens overlooking the beautiful Atlantic
Ocean await you for your most important day. We invite you to come and take a look for yourself, we're sure you'll
agree, there is no other option for your outdoor wedding!
Weddings are booked May to Mid-October. Peak flowering times are Mid-June through late August/early September. Because
Lynch Park is a public park, certain rules apply. Please contact the Beverly Recreation Department for more information
and an application.
Download an Application for the Rose Garden
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| Park Regulations
Our beautiful and unique 16 acre oceanfront park has two beaches and a formal rose garden
for weddings and pictures. During the summer months, enjoy the Sunday evening concert series, numerous special events
and entertainment, ample parking for picnics, a kayak center, food concession and restrooms! For the safety and
enjoyment of all, please follow the rules of the park. Violation of the rules is subject to fine and punishable by law.
- Park Hours: 8:00AM - 10:00PM, Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Restroom Hours: 9:00AM - Dusk, Memorial Day through Labor Day
9:00AM - Dusk, Weekends ONLY, Labor Day through October
- Animal Restrictions: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are allowed in Lynch Park from 6:00 - 7:45AM.
Dogs are allowed in all other parks in Beverly before 8:00AM and after 7:30PM. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Resident Parking Stickers: Stickers are available throughout the summer. They are not available at
City Hall or any other municipal office. The parking attendant will affix sticker to vehicle window. Anyone not
wanting a sticker on vehicle must show registration at every visit. Stickers are for residents ONLY. Stickers are not
necessary to park at Lynch Park between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
- Put trash in barrels
- Free standing grills ONLY - DO NOT put grills on picnic tables
- Coal disposal in labeled receptacles
- Defacing, removing and/or destroying benches, shrubs, flowers, park equipment or structure is subject to prosecution
- Firearms are banned
- Any event, ceremony or performance must be approved by the Recreation Commission or Director
- Soliciting, vending or advertising prohibited except with Recreation Commission permission
- No ball playing or golfing
- No alcohol
- Building or use of any structure or tent in city parks is prohibited
- Skates or bikes only on road
- Fountain is for viewing only. Keep Out!
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| Directions to Lynch Park
From Route 128
Take exit 18. Turn right onto Route 22 South.
Traveling south there is a small shopping area on the left. Pass over a set of
railroad tracks. 1 mile
Turn left at the 3rd street. Corning Street.
1st Stop sign is right next to Leonhard's Florist
2nd Stop sign crosses Route 127
3rd Stop sign, turn right onto Neptune St.
At the top of the hill you will see a stone wall. The second entrance on left is
the main one to the parking lot.
Note: Wedding guests may just give the attendant the name of
the bride or groom.
From Salem
Take route 1A, over the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Salem-Beverly)
Bear right at the 1st intersection. (Cabot St.)
Turn right at the second set of lights. Follow signs for Route 127
(Stone St.) Turning left at first stop sign onto Lothrop St.
You will pass two beaches on the right.
At the first set of lights, turn right onto Hale Street.
About 200 yards, bear right onto Ober Street.
Lynch Park is about a half mile on the right. #55
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