Longtime resident donates Cransom art to Vanderpoel

  
The Beverly Review January 26, 1994

A painting by Fletcher Cransom, (Originally thought to be Cransom due to the way he signed the painting, Later someone discovered it was really Fletcher C. Ransom) entitled “Ann Rutledge and Abraham Lincoln,” was recently donated to the John H. Vanderpoel Art Association by Margaret Gear Lawrence.

This work of art, which was painted in 1901, (Later found out that this was one painted in 1934 as it was one of the original  Midland Railroad Calendar pictures.) will be unveiled at a tea on Sunday, Nov. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Vanderpoel Gallery at the Beverly Art Center.  This painting had been on loan to Clissold School, where it had been on display for over 50 years. 

Last sprint it was noted that the painting was in need of restoration and was removed from public view.  Lawrence was contacted and offered to have the painting cleaned and restored before donating it to the Vanderpoel Art Association.

Lawrence and her late husband, Roland Lawrence, were longtime residents of Beverly.  Although she currently resides in a retirement home, Lawrence was extremely active in various Beverly organizations.  She helped found the Ridge Historical Society and organized the first Girl Scout troop in Morgan Park.

She held many offices in the DAR, Morgan Park Baptist Church and the Clissold PTA.  Many people from these organizations have been contacted and are planning to attend the unveiling ceremony.  The public is also invited.

Lawrence, 93, will participate in the unveiling ceremony along with Irene Testa, president of the board of the Vanderpoel Art Association.  Also in attendance will be Lawrence’s daughter, Marjorie, and son-in-law, Jack Heatherton, who helped design the Beverly Art Center.  Along with the unveiling ceremony, the Vanderpoel Art Association is currently co-hosting an exhibit of the winners and finalists of the Alice and Arthur Baer Art Competition, which is sponsored by the Beverly Art Center.