Excellent essay! It really captures the feeling of disappointment and dismay — and of being lied to — when you find out that a little bit of history you believed in has been misrepresented.
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A textual note: The first few lines of the poem quoted in the piece are mis-transcribed. (The tell is that the rhyme scheme is off.) The article by Jonathan Palmer cited in the references includes a photo of the poem in the chapel, so you can check that the poem begins:
jul 3, 2025, 4:23 pm • 2 0 • view
Thank you for catching this transcription error! We've updated the text based on the photo of the poem in the Palmer piece. (Oh to have that kind of calligraphic talent!)
jul 3, 2025, 4:44 pm • 1 0 • view
“In the lovely Catskill Mountains And high upon a hill, There stands a little church and yard And I hope it always will! For in that quiet church yard Lies a story now quite old […]”
jul 3, 2025, 4:23 pm • 1 0 • view