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Jun 15, 2023

Woodworker restores a unique totem of Nantasket history with modern flair — The Hull Times

By Christopher Haraden The six-decade-old wooden totem pole that stood outside the state Department of Conservation and Recreation building on Nantasket Beach since 1962 has been restored and will be

By Christopher Haraden

The six-decade-old wooden totem pole that stood outside the state Department of Conservation and Recreation building on Nantasket Beach since 1962 has been restored and will be reinstalled later this summer.

TAKING A POLE. Carpenter Neal Syphers undertook a major restoration of the historic totem pole that stood outside the DCR building since 1962. Outfitted with some of his personal touches, the restored structure is expected to be reinstalled later this summer. [Courtesy photos]

Carpenter Neal Syphers, who described himself as “a lifelong fan of Nantasket Beach” and whose ancestors arrived in this area in 1631, took up the project after the structure rotted and collapsed last year. He has completed the restoration and is working with the DCR crew at the beach to place the new pole in its original location, on the lawn near the former police station and in front of the long building that is known as the “dormitory.”

Totem poles are traditionally found in the northwestern United States, and are characterized by carved symbols or faces that carry various meanings to native cultures, ranging from recounting old legends to symbolizing significant events to representing cultural art. Over the years, the designs of totem poles have evolved and have taken on different meanings than originally intended in the Pacific Northwest.

The Nantasket totem pole was carved in 1962 by Joseph R. Fleurant, an artist who created several similar poles as a hobby. The wood for this installation is quite historic, as it traces its origins to the former Nantasket Hotel, which stood next to the current Bernie King Pavilion from 1879 through 1955. The dormitory building, now part of the DCR property, was originally affiliated with the hotel and served as lodging for employees, making it one of the oldest buildings at Nantasket.

“In view of the town’s rich history of Indian lore, the new totem pole was recently presented to the MDC [Metropolitan District Commission, predecessor of the DCR] by Joseph R. Fleurant, of Gardner, a wood-carving artist of French-Indian ancestry,” The Hull-Nantasket Times reported in July 1962. “When the old Nantasket Hotel was condemned several years ago and workmen began its demolition, a huge pole broke away in a storm and floated out to sea, later being brought back on the tide high onto Nantasket Beach, almost in front of the old hotel site. Fleurant spotted the pole early this spring and managed to maneuver it to a safe spot from the tides, near the entrance to the state bath house at Nantasket.”

Fleurant began carving the totem pole on July 3 and it was installed later that month. He is said to have included a self-portrait by carving the face at the bottom of the pole in his own likeness.

Syphers said he restored the image of the original carver and has covered the entire pole in two coats of clear rubber so that it will last another 60 years. He also was careful to remain true to the history of the structure, while adding a few contemporary touches.

“The whale on top of the pole is actually a flying fish, I am told by local historians, so I restored its flying wings and made a ball bearing attachment so that the flying fish will actually spin and fly,” Syphers said. “It was stationary originally.”

He said the bottom figure on the “pays homage to the Hull High Pirates with their blue and yellow school colors.”

Syphers said he has delivered the finished product and is eagerly awaiting its placement on the DCR’s grounds.