Joe Devine: Historian & Community Builder
By Shawn Dell Joyce
It’s hard to accept the death of someone you love, especially when it happens unexpectedly. Joe Devine was loved by many and held a deep love for Montgomery as well.
Joe worked well with others and was a conservative Republican who often helped members of other parties, especially on important historic preservation issues. He was always there when the community needed him, and was scheduled to be the Grand Marshall of this year’s Montgomery Day.
He was a historian who delved deeply into our region’s prehistory, and was a resource for the archaeologists who excavated at Benedict Farm. I served on the advisory council for the development of Benedict Town Park with Joe, and forged a friendship born of respect.
Joe would point to a particular hill at Benedict Farm and tell me what type of points were found there, how many prehistoric layers of human habitation were found there, and date it back tens of thousands of years.
If you sat still long enough, Joe would tell you the history of any given village, building, person, or landscape feature. He was one of the most knowledgeable historians in our area, and was integral to many local projects including the Coldenham Preservation Society, the Mastodon Mural that hangs in Town Hall, and the Mastodon Museum proposed by Evan Galbraith.
Joe’s best story is the one he captured in his book “The Montgomery Mastodon” about Samuel Eager watching Charles Willson Peale unearth the first prehistoric creature ever discovered in the world — right here in little old Montgomery in 1801. I illustrated Joe’s book with my paintings, and he posed for me as Peale for my mural, which now hangs in the Town Hall on Bracken Road in Montgomery. Joe brought the story to life for new generations in Montgomery, including me.
The book was based on the life of Orange County’s first historian, but the inspiration was Joe’s grandson who helped him locate the site of Peale’s discovery in Montgomery. Joe was so delighted with his grandson’s work, that he asked me to paint him into the Mastodon Mural as the young Samuel Eager. If you look closely at the mural, you will see a boy sitting on a bridge and pointing at Peale. (Joe Devine modeled for me). Joe wrote the book in honor of his grandson, and gave it freely to our school district, along with many presentations about the mastodon.
Joe worked tirelessly with Evan Galbraith as well as doing public presentations on the Montgomery Mastodon and presenting Evan’s museum idea to the community. Evan had this to say about Joe:
“While history is filled with people who make incredible discoveries, we should also celebrate those who prevent great discoveries from becoming extinct. Joe did just that. His leadership and passion for Charles Willson Peale’s 1801 discovery of the first complete prehistoric animal in recorded history, a mastodon, kept that amazing part of our heritage permanently above ground. The site and history are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, he loved to share his work with so many, especially children, who I hope will never forget what he did for Montgomery and beyond. He was a good friend and will be greatly missed.”
