Valley of the Poets
...believing in the beauty of their dreams
Welcome to the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts, known as the Valley of the Poets.
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Beginning with the first poet published from the New World, Anne Dudley Bradstreet (1612-1672), to America's favorite poet, Robert Frost ((1874-1963), the Valley of the Poets is the birthplace of poetry in the United States. Native son John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was born in Haverhill and Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) resided in Andover and is buried there.
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All four were inspired by their community along with the challenge of a harsh, yet lovely New England. They left threads of creativity for us to grasp as we harvest our heritage.
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Excitement is growing in North Andover as more and more is uncovered at the site of the two Bradstreet homes, the first of which burned down in 1666.
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The poet detailed the destruction, desolation and gratitude she felt that day, on into her future, here.
Also see here.
MEET Karen M. Kline
Karen's favorite poem by
Anne Bradstreet:
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To My Dear Children​
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This Book by Any yet unread,
I leave for you when I am dead,
That, being gone, here you may find
What was your living mother’s mind.
Make use of what I leave in Love
And God shall blesse you from above.
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Consider the last two lines — over 350 years have passed -- her words, still relevant!
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More about Mistress Bradstreet from The Literary Traveler, here.
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More about "To My Dear Children—American Literature I: An Anthology of Texts from Early America The Early 20th Century," here​
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As the third North Andover Poet Laureate (2012-2016), Karen is inspired by the beauty of nature and shares her love of the written word with people of any age at any stage of life. She has presented in many venues and to students from preschool through college.
Since moving to North Andover in 1983, she has spent much of her time volunteering in schools the US and Canada, also sharing LITER - Art with a college in Lahore, Pakistan.
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Notable Projects from the Valley of the Poets
In 1995, Karen created LITER-Art, with the hope of introducing communities to the joy of the poetic verse in the same way people enjoy public art. To that end, she has developed programs within school districts where students produce illustrated poetry, an art/poetry piece together on one page. These are then displayed in town businesses, professional offices, libraries, schools, restaurants, and many other venues.
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Comment cards are essential here. For more information about why, see this article.
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In September 2005, Karen approached the North Andover Select Board to appoint a town poet laureate. After the question, "What is a poet laureate?" was answered, they agreed and in February 2006, the first poet laureate was appointed.
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Throughout 2012, Karen coordinated programs throughout Essex County to celebrate the 400th Birthday of Anne Bradstreet. The year begain with a January 1 gathering on a dark farm field with the theme of Fire and Ice, a title borrowed from Anne's neighbor,, Robert Frost. For more, go to annedradstreet.org.
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Since Anne Bradstreet was a member of one of the founding families of Cambridge, MA (originally called Newtowne) and North Andover (in 1646, Andover Parish).
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Anne returned in spirit to Cambridge in 1997, when a Harvard University gate was named in her honor. To celebrate the 25th year of the naming of the gate, in September of 2022, Karen coordinated readings at the gate by the first women's class to reside in Harvard Yard, the Class of 1972.
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The many other programs Karen has supported or produced are too numerous to list here.
For information and/or questions, please fill out the contact form.
Contact Us
Learn more about Karen M. Kline and/or the Valley of the Poets