ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Julianne Cushing, the widow of John Cushing, and her grandson, Matthew Cushing, unveil the plaque for the 22-piece frieze at Lynn Classical Wednesday as Superintendent Catherine Latham and Principal Gene Constantino look on.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Lynn Classical High School re-dedicated its 22-piece frieze in honor of John Cushing, who restored it, but died before he saw it hung at the school.
The large tiles depict the triumphant entry of Alexander the Great into Babylon in 331 A.D. They were created using molds of the original from 1822, and donated to the school as a class gift shortly after it opened.
Paul Stafford, president of Alumni and Friends of Lynn Classical High School, said it’s unknown which class presented the sculptures. They circled the walls of the original school’s first floor library on North Common Street. The school moved to its new location on Holyoke Street, and the pieces were put in storage.
“Some were in deplorable condition,” Stafford said. “They were cracked, one horse was decapitated.”
Cushing, David Solimine Sr., Stafford and Pat Lee restored each piece in the collection at Solimine Funeral Homes. Cushing unexpectedly died in October, and the sculptures were installed in the front foyer of the high school in April.
Cushing’s wife and family attended Wednesday’s ceremony in his honor.
Matthew Cushing, his 9-year-old grandson, closely examined his grandfather’s work.
“He’s a hard worker,” he said.
Julianne Cushing, John’s wife, agreed.
“When he had a job to do, he didn’t stop until it was done,” she said. “I know he is here with us in spirit. He would be absolutely thrilled with the beauty of that foyer. I’m truly humbled by this and I know John would be even more humbled. He loved doing it and made wonderful friends.”
Stafford said that without Cushing’s talents and knowledge of restoration and craftsmanship, the project would have been impossible.
“They would have never come out this beautiful,” Stafford said. “ I firmly believe John’s spirit is here through his family. I want to say ‘thank you John.’ I’m so glad they’re home.”
Principal Gene Constantino and Superintendent Catherine Latham expressed gratitude for the alumni association and its hard work to keep the school’s history alive.
“It enhances our school immensely,” Constantino said.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
