Blue Hills of Massachusetts
| Blue Hills of Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
| by Katherine E. Mullen | |
| Written | 1957–1967 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Massachusetts |
"Blue Hills of Massachusetts", written by schoolteacher Katherine E. Mullen of Barre, is a poem originally written to teach children about the history of Massachusetts and some of its significant symbols. It was designated the official poem of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1981.
Origin
Katherine E. Mullen was a teacher in the Barre public school system for sixty years.[1] She wrote the poem "Blue Hills of Massachusetts" between 1957 and 1967 as a teaching tool, wanting to stress the good parts of the state with ten verses explaining the significance of symbols such as the state flag and seal.[2][3] State Senator Robert D. Wetmore said about it, "Nearly every aspect of Massachusetts history is touched upon in its verses."[4]
Effort to designate as the official state poem
In 1980, Mullen visited the school again for a ceremony around its flagpole, where sixth graders sang several verses of the poem. Senator Wetmore read about the ceremony and thought that it should be designated as the official state song. However, since there was already a state song, Mullen suggested that it instead be considered for being the official state poem. In March 1981, the legislative Committee on State Administration held a hearing on the matter, where Stephen Brewer, then a selectman of the Town of Barre, testified in favor saying it was "an upbeat affirmation of that unique spirit of Massachusetts that is positive and hard working and diligent."[3]
The bill that Wetmore sponsored was approved by the state legislature and signed by Governor Edward J. King.[4] The bill was officially enacted on September 24, 1981 as chapter 402 of the Acts of 1981,[5] which added section 21 to chapter 2 of the General Laws of Massachusetts reading, "The poem, 'Blue Hills of Massachusetts' composed by Katherine E. Mullen of the town of Barre shall be the official state poem of the commonwealth."[6]
Controversy
The poem has stanzas that honor the state seal and flag, which have been criticized as glorifying institutional racism.[7][8] In 2026, State Representative Jack Patrick Lewis filed a bill to change the official state poem to "Song of Massachusetts" by Regie Gibson instead.[9]
References
- ↑ "Katherine E. Mullen, author of state poem". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. 1990-02-02. p. A7 – via NewsBank.
- ↑ Brown, Thomas S. (1981-03-12). "Get in Tune with Guthrie, Girls Beseech Legislature". Springfield Daily News. p. 2 – via NewsBank.
- 1 2 Young, Colin A. (2025-04-06). "How a song became the state's official poem". The Republican. Springfield, MA. State House News Service. pp. C1, C8 – via NewsBank.
- 1 2 "Bay State Adopts Barre Woman's poem". The Daily News. Springfield, MA. 1981-09-29. p. 4 – via NewsBank.
- ↑ "1981 Chap. 0402. An Act Designating The Poem "Blue Hills Of Massachusetts" As The Official State Poem Of The Commonwealth". Acts and Resolves. Secretary of the Commonwealth.
- ↑ "General Law - Part I, Title I, Chapter 2, Section 21: Poem of commonwealth". malegislature.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Reilly, Adam (2022-05-17). "Special commission backs new state seal and motto for Massachusetts". WGBH. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Richard, Barry (2023-01-23). "Massachusetts State Poem Appears to Endorse 'Institutional Racism'". 1420 WBSM.
- ↑ Cullen, Margie (2026-06-02). "MA could have a new state ice cream or frog. See 17 proposed symbols". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. USA Today Network. Retrieved 2026-08-16.