Foxboro Cable Access has retrieved “A Tour of the Lane Property” from its Program Library and transferred the old ¾” u-matic videotape to digital format. This makes it possible to upload the program to the FCA website for viewing anytime.
Former Conservation Manager David Risch and Bill Hocking, Conservation Commission Chairman at the time, provide the narration over video of the natural surroundings and shoreline of the property, and Edith Lane, great-granddaughter of the original Lane family explains its historical background. The program was produced in 1988 by FCA volunteer Margaret Nash to assist the Commission in generating support for the Town Meeting article to purchase the parcel and highlight the natural beauty and many benefits the property would have for town residents. “The recent proposal to develop a Nature Education Center, Wildflower Garden and upgraded entrance and trails embodies the original intent of the town’s purchase, and will be a wonderful community resource.” she added.
“The Lane Property video is an example of how this collection can be used for research, allowing future generations to take a peek into the thoughts and ideas of the past” said Michael Webber, FCA’s Executive Director. “We are blessed to have active citizens in this community volunteering every day to record events, share thoughts and ideas, and capture moments in time for future generations.
The program was able to be located and transferred in such a timely manner because of FCA’s efforts las year to re-organize the Program Library containing more than thirty years of programming produced by local volunteers. The process was made easier because FCA has an established equipment console in place for multi-format videotape transfers and volunteer Deb Wendell has been using it regularly to digitize over 1400 historical programs, town events and many other programs as part of FCA’s Archive Project. She has also uploaded “A Tour of the Lane Property” to archive.org, a public library accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
The Friends of Foxborough Conservation are seeking community input, assistance, monetary donations or in-kind contributions from local businesses to augment the $100K grant they received from Schneider Electric to fund the project. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact Jim DeVellis or Heather Harding.
For more information on FCA programming, training or volunteer opportunities, please call Executive Michael Webber at 543-4757 or visit our studio at 28 Central Street in downtown Foxborough.