Fisherman's Memorial recommended for quarter, governor announces via Twitter

March 5, 2009 11:20 AM Email| Comments (5)| Text size – +

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

The state has recommended that an image of the Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial be enshrined on a new Massachusetts quarter coined by the US Mint, Governor Deval Patrick announced today on his official feed on Twitter, a web-based micro messaging tool.

(John Blanding/Globe Staff/file/2000)

The Fisherman's Memorial received the most support in an online poll, which included just over 100 federal sites in Massachusetts, ranging from Al's Diner in Chicopee to Worcester City Hall, according to a press release e-mailed by the governor's office a few minutes after the news was announced on Twitter.

"Votes for our new quarter are in, and Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial has won!" Patrick wrote in his 19-word Twitter post or tweet, which included a link to the press release on the governor's website. "Congrats! Thanks to all who voted."

The governor's office put forward the Fisherman's Memorial as its top choice because it received 109,817 votes, the most in the online poll. Alternate sites submitted for consideration include the Lowell National Historic Park (26,582 votes), the House of Seven Gables in Salem (10,028 votes), and the USS Constitution (8,890 votes). The US Mint will make the final determination what appears on the Bay State quarter, which will join others being issued for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, starting in 2010.

News that the Fisherman's Memorial won the online poll had not yet reached Gloucester by Twitter, e-mail, or press release. Both the mayor's office and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce learned that the Fisherman's Memorial had been selected when a reporter called them via telephone.

"You are the first to tell me about it. That's great news," said Bob Hastings, executive director of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, in a telephone interview. "I think it's a great honor for fishing community."

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5 comments so far...

That's great! There were and are so many brave fishermen out in the ocean for many many years.

Posted by Have2bordercollies March 5, 09 12:48 PM

Let's hear it for "The Man at the Wheel", a true icon of Massachusetts' maritime heritage. Too bad our Commonwealth's fishing industry is receding into history through over regulation.

Posted by RayMac1 March 5, 09 02:51 PM

It's a must-have. The Fisherman's memorial is one of the most important symbols of our patrimony.

Posted by reindeergirl March 5, 09 04:17 PM

Great choice! 3 cheers for all those who voted!

Posted by Archimedes March 5, 09 04:59 PM

This is great! My great uncle Will Marchant, a local fisherman, posed for that statue. dbear in Annisquam

Posted by dbear March 5, 09 05:43 PM