Anyone from Massachusetts here? The middle design in this photo was chosen for the new ATB quarter. IMHO this was not the best choice overall. The textile industry in Mass. has been dead for so long that it does not really have any pertinence anymore. I would much rather have seen an interpretation of Mount Greylock which is an awesome park. If you have never been there, then when in the area I highly recommend you visit it. Great trailing, streams, waterfalls, the statue at the top, the vista, incredible.
I'm not from Massachusetts, but when I was stationed at Ft. Devens (Ayer, MA) in 1970, my second favorite place to go was Silver Lake. My first favorite place to go was the Budweiser plant in Nashua, NH because we got free beer on the weekends. Chris
While not from MA, I was stationed in RI for 3 years and my wife is from MA. I've been to Lowell and the surrounding area a few times. I like the design but totally get that it doesn't represent what the area is currently like. I DO however like the design better than some of the other recent designs
Lowell National Historic Park exists and is being honored on the quarter. I think that's great. Pertinence to current times has absolutely no bearing on whether it should have been chosen. It's a great bit of history and its selection is consistent with the rest of the ATB Quarter series (e.g. Effigy Mounds). IMCorgiO.
Watching an approaching electrical storm from the peak, coming from New York is mesmerizing to say the least. Picnicking at the top is fun while sitting on the ledge overlooking Pittsfield below. On a clear day, it reminds me of being on top of Mt. Washington, N.H. Though not nearly as high of course, it is the tallest peak in Mass. Similar also, in many turn offs to take pics as you advance towards the top.
Quite right. Period piece. After all, it was the reason why the 'North' defeated the 'South' (Industrialization).
Now of course we know it will be booming soon with the great deals that are going to be made . At least the coin depicts the hard work of the industry of the time.
Use to work at Courier Citizen on Chelmsford street, Hall Street and in North Chelmsford. Hall street was in the heart of the textile industry. 1977-1991
The issue with many of the National Parks and Historic areas in Massachusetts is that they lack to visual impact to make interesting coins. Some of those that do, like the Saugus Iron Works, suffer from the same "pertinence" suggestion as Lowell. One obvious choice would have been to use the Charlestown Navy Yard as a backdrop and put the USS Constitution in the starring role. But Mississippi already did that shtick. There are also the usual buildings (Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, etc), but buildings make for boring coins. The Cape Cod National Seashore is lovely once the tourists leave, but not as a coin. Likewise, the Minuteman Park is a nice enough place, but the Old North Bridge isn't an interesting subject. (Plus they've already done the minuteman statue.) The Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial is in the Essex National Heritage Area (as is my home), but it's a bit bleak to put on a coin. And don't get me started on Motif #1. Frederick Law Olmsted's house is a natural fit for the series, but it's not all that attractive. As for Mount Greylock, I can only imagine the sniggering jokes if they put the War Memorial Tower on a coin. At least with this, the "hockey pucks" look like they'll be attractive pieces.. On a standard size quarter, IMO, the design is too busy, but that's been my complaint about most of the series.
