Pacificist Memorial
Tucked quietly within the grounds of what was The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, lies one of the most thought provoking memorials in New England: The Pacifist Memorial. Unlike traditional monuments that commemorate battles, this space is dedicated to those who chose a different path: the path of nonviolence.
Established in the late 20th century as part of the Peace Abbey’s broader mission, the Pacifist Memorial is not a single statue, but a collection of engraved plaques, each bearing the name of an individual recognized for their commitment to peace. Figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein are represented alongside lesser kow individuals whose lives reflected the same ideals. Each plaque invited visitors to walk among them.
There are many memorials where we honor those that had the courage to fight in our wars, but this space honors those that had the courage not to. What does it mean to stand for one’s belief when those beliefs reject violence altogether.
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Boggestow
Before it was called Sherborn, the area was known as Boggestow, a native place name that likely described the landscape, interpreted as “rocky” or “hilly” land. The region was inhabited by the Massachusett people, specifically bands connected to the Nipmuc and other Algonquian-speaking tribes of central Massachusetts. The Massachusett were part of a larger network of Native communities living throughout eastern and central […]
Emily the Cow
In Sherborn, this memorial stands for a cow whose life became a symbol of compassion in our time. Emily’s story belongs to the late twentieth century. After escaping from a slaughterhouse in 1995, she was taken in by the Peace Abbey, a sanctuary devoted to nonviolence, humanitarian causes and animal welfare. There she lived out the remainder of […]
Conscientious Objectors Memorial
Among the many memorials that stand throughout New England, few are as unique as this one. Rather than honoring soldiers, political leaders, or pioneers, this monument remembers men and women whose lives were devoted to a different calling, the pursuit of peace. Its inscription reads: “May honor be bestowed on these conscientious objectors who walked […]
