By Samantha Walsh [email protected]
While Boston has its Freedom Trail, Barnstable now has its own walkable Heritage Trail.
The Hyannis Business Improvement District and the Rotary Club of Hyannis recently installed seven specially designed informational kiosks along Main Street Hyannis.
With custom weathervanes and graphic panels, the kiosks were collectively dedicated July 10 as the Heritage Trail.
Mary-Ann Agresti, the artist and designer of the kiosk form, said the project aims to showcase the historical significance of Hyannis Main Street and the surrounding community.
The kiosks explain Main Street’s walkability with a newly designed map by Shea Cadrin of Design By Lore. Each kiosk also features a stainless steel weathervane unique to that area of Main Street.
“I think it’s important for this project to be seen for its heritage value and that’s how the Rotary saw it. They saw a real opportunity to contribute to that historical authenticity,” she said.
The Rotary Club of Hyannis provided a $50,000 grant to fund the manufacturing and installation of the seven kiosks by Orion RED of Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Coordination from the Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department and the board of directors of the Main Street Business Improvement District were crucial to the success of the project, Agresti said.
On July 10, at noon, a brief presentation, a ribbon cutting, and celebration was held in front of the John F. Kennedy Museum of Hyannis to dedicate the seven kiosks.
“To support our town, and to support the Main Street of Cape Cod — here we are today to talk about these wonderful informational kiosks,” said Hyannis Rotarian Marji Macy.
Rotarians Macy, Rick Walters, Craig Ashworth, and Elizabeth Wurfbain formed the Special Projects Committee.
The Heritage Trail stretches from the west end to the east end of Main Street.
“I think we really need to do everything we can to make it (Main Street) more vibrant, to really help the people that are living here and working here, and show our support for the community of Hyannis,” said Macy.
said Macy.
Agresti said community members played a pivotal role in shaping the content. During a community workshop at Hyannis Transportation Center, attendees wrote down their thoughts about what stories and pieces of history should be included.
“Most stories came from this event,” said Agresti.