Published December 30, 2020

LYNNFIELD — The Pope and Richard families’ legacy will live on for generations to come.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted last week to rename the Historical Centre on South Common Street as the Pope-Richard Family Historical Centre in order to recognize late Historical Commission member Steven Richard and his family’s contributions to the community. Steven and his father, Earl, passed away from COVID-19 last March.

“Steve’s passing was not only unexpected, but it was also a tragedy felt by everyone who had the pleasure to have met him,” Historical Commission Chairman Kirk Mansfield stated in a letter sent to the selectmen. “Since that time, the Lynnfield Historical Commission has struggled to find a way that will forever honor our fellow commissioner.”

Mansfield recalled that the Historical Commission voted last month to endorse changing the name of the Historical Centre to the Pope-Richard Family Historical Centre.

“The reason for our decision is not only based on the strong roots Steve and his wife, Karen Nascembeni, maintained in town, but the path his family paved for Lynnfield history,” Mansfield said.

Mansfield recalled that Earl served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an Airman Seaman, 2nd Class.

“Earl witnessed many battles and even survived the sinking of his ship, the USS Vincennes, in the Pacific Ocean,” Mansfield wrote. “After faithfully serving his country, he was honorably discharged on Dec. 28, 1946. In October of 1949, he met and married the love of his life, Edith Pope. They remained married for 68 years. It was truly a love story.”

Mansfield noted that Edie grew up on Pope Farm, which is where Summer Street School is now located.

“Steve’s great-grandfather, Micajah Pope, had purchased the property in 1870 and drove his 25 head of cattle down from Squantum,” Mansfield recalled. “The purchase price of $6,000 included land that stretched far and wide, consuming most of that area. Unfortunately, after the population of the town tripled in the 1950s, the property was taken by eminent domain to be the site of the Summer Street School.”

Mansfield said Edie was very active with the Historical Society and served as its president for several years.

“Edie was a frequent hospitality host at monthly meetings, including one where she presented an interesting talk and slide presentation about her life growing up on Pope Farm, a place that remained in her heart,” stated Mansfield. “She was also involved for decades in the Lynnfield Historical Society’s Country Store, where she chaired the ham-and-bean supper table and helped decorate wreaths. Her homemade baked beans, lovingly baked in small batches in antique crocks, were a Country Store favorite. Edie was an enthusiastic member of the Centre Club of General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Massachusetts, where she served as president from 1992-1994, as well as the G.F.W.C. Memorial Forest Committee. For 75 years, Edie was an active member of the Centre Congregational Church, where she joyously sang in the choir for over 50 years. At church, she also served as a Sunday School teacher, president of the Ladies Circle, Hub of Two Wheels, Memorial Committee and as vice president of the Tandem Club.”

After Edie passed away in December 2017, Mansfield said Steven and Karen carried on Edie and Earl’s tradition of organizing and running the Country Store each December. He noted that Steven, Karen and Earl repeatedly attended town events and Historical Society meetings.

“The Pope and Richard families were an integral part of our town’s history, and what better way to honor them then renaming the Historical Centre after them,” Mansfield said.

During the Board of Selectmen’s public hearing about the Historical Centre name change proposal last week, Mansfield said the Pope and Richard families are “truly an inspiration to anyone who has ever lived in this town.”

“They have paved the way for us,” said Mansfield. “We would not have the Country Store, the Historical Commission and the Historical Society if it were not for people like them who carried that tradition on. They were so incredibly dedicated to it. Don’t get me wrong; there have been a million people who have done a lot of things for the society and the commission. I don’t want to discredit them, but I think we would be very hard pressed to find one family who has done so much for our town. We truly believe renaming the Historical Centre to the Pope-Richard Family Historical Centre would be the best way to honor them. I think it would be a great way to honor Steve’s wife Karen, his sister Doreen and the rest of the Richard family. It will help us inform people about who the Popes and Richards were and what the did for this community.”

Selectman Dick Dalton expressed his support for renaming the Historical Centre in honor of the Pope and Richard family. He also called Mansfield’s letter “quite moving.”

“This family has been so important to our community for generations,” said Dalton.

Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett agreed.

“The Pope and Richard families have given so much to the community of Lynnfield,” said Barrett. “They have left a lasting legacy for everyone who loves the history of the town of Lynnfield.”

Barrett also noted in an email sent to the Villager that Edie, Earl and Steven were “an engine that helped the Historical Society flourish.”

“They presided over programs, helped organize the annual Country Store and worked to preserve the town’s historical crown jewel, the Meeting House,” Barrett stated. “Steven helped chronicle the town through his love of photography as well.”

After the selectmen unanimously voted to rename the Historical Centre to the Pope-Richard Family Historical Centre, Nascembeni thanked the Historical Commission and the selectmen for honoring her family.

“Thank you so much for even considering this,” said Nascembeni. “The generations of service to the town continue with Doreen’s children and fiancés, who are involved with the Country Store and other things in town. I appreciate the town’s support more than you know.”

Barrett said he and the entire community are often thinking of Nascembeni and the entire Richard family.

“Our thoughts and prayers have been with you this past year,” said Barrett.