Retired Historical Society President Gretchen Schuler is this year’s winner of the Lydia Marie Child Award. The award, which was presented on June 26, is given annually in recognition of active volunteer leadership in the betterment of Wayland’s quality of life or in serving the important needs of our townspeople. Gretchen’s many contributions to Wayland’s quality of life are described by Sherre Greenbaum in her nomination of Gretchen, which was supported by several follow-up emails from people who worked with her or benefitted from her dedication to the town of Wayland. Read Sherre’s nomination of Gretchen Schuler below.
It is my pleasure to nominate Gretchen Schuler for the Lydia Maria Child Award.
Gretchen has ably served on numerous town boards, committees, and groups over the many years she has lived in Wayland: Planning Board, Nike Site Reuse Advisory Committee, Real Asset Planning Committee, Historic District Commission, Community Preservation Committee, and the Historical Society. Although her active role in a wide range of town entities is truly impressive, her volunteer service alone is not the main reason that I think she deserves the Lydia Maria Child Award.
I believe that Gretchen should be recognized with this award for her dedication to the protection and preservation of Wayland’s natural beauty and historical resources, both of which contribute significantly to our community’s character and quality of life.
Gretchen was instrumental in the preservation of Mainstone Farm through a conservation restriction in 2017. Securing permanent protection of over 200 acres of pastures and hillsides had long been a priority for the Town. Working tirelessly with the owner and neighbors, the Planning Board, the Wayland Conservation Commission, the Finance Committee, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Selectmen as well as the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT), Gretchen faced many challenges with the coordination of the complicated project. She garnered public support through meetings and forums and eventually achieved overwhelming approval at Town Meeting. Her knowledge of the property was key to maintaining the scenic views and securing accessible trails through the woods. Residents and others traveling through Wayland and walking Mainstone Farm trails may take this bucolic open space for granted. But many thanks and much gratitude are due to Gretchen for her unheralded dedication and perseverance to preserving its natural beauty and character for generations to come.
As an historic preservation official and consultant, Gretchen has brought her skills to Wayland and generously shared her expertise so residents could better understand and value the town’s historical assets. While serving as a member and chair of the Historic District Commission, she collaborated with residents to resolve architectural issues and maintain the characteristics significant to Wayland. Her leadership of the Community Preservation Committee, guided by her passion for honoring the past, resulted in many Town Meeting votes for worthy projects.
Always an active and enthusiastic volunteer at the Historical Society and most recently as its President, Gretchen has worked to educate the community through thoughtful and enriching programs. Gretchen’s skills as well as her diplomacy have been integral to the Historical Society as it navigates fiscal and other issues. Her sense of the importance of history is exemplified by the Schulers’ decision to lovingly maintain their historical home and barn, known as Reeves Tavern.
It would be particularly fitting for Gretchen to receive this award, having introduced Lydia Morland, the author of the new biography of Lydia Maria Child, when she spoke at a Historical Society program. I sincerely hope the town will honor Gretchen Schuler, a truly special volunteer and leader, as the recipient of the Lydia Maria Child Award.
Sherre Greenbaum
Plain Road