Sunday, Sept. 15 — CAVENDISH — again the Cavenish Historical Society (CHS) will hold its annual the annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk on the Sunday closest to the date of the accident. Gage, a railroad foreman, on Sept. 13, 1848, had a tamping rod pass through his head as a result of a blasting accident, and lived for 12 more years.
His accident made medical history, thanks to the dedication of Dr. John Harlow, the Cavendish physician who documented his injury and course of recovery. Harlow was able to secure Gage’s skull and tamping rod, which now reside at the Warren Anatomical Museum at Harvard. Thanks to Cavendish Labs, CHS has a 3-D exact replica of Gage’s skull.
This year’s Walk and Talk starts at the CHS Museum, Route 131 in Cavendish at 2 p.m. The walk includes the location of the accident, Dr. Harlow’s home/surgery, and the boarding house where Gage was taken after his injury. Note this event takes place rain or shine.
The site of the accident is approximately three quarters of a mile from the Museum and by the time other sites of interest are visited and we return to the museum, you will have walked close to 2 miles. Participants can stop at any time. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
This program is free and open to the public. Donations welcomed.
For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or email margocaulfield@icloud.com.
