Mysterious Rooster Sculpture Appears

Six foot tall painted rooster sculpture
currently at Marble Farm Historic Site

In September a six foot tall, painted, iron rooster sculpture appeared at the Marble Farm Historic Site (the modest-sized park across from Christmas Motors). Discreetly located at its back is a sticker of the Town of Maynard logo (the clocktower), yet neither the Select Board nor Department of Public Works professed knowledge of the sculpture. Nor was the ad hoc sculpture group that was responsible for the installation of the bicycle/bicyclist sculpture across Main Street from Ray & Sons Cyclery involved.

Whence, then, did the rooster come from? why a rooster? and who was responsible for its appearance? The whence part turned out to be easiest. Tractor Supply Co. sells these iron rooster sculptures with various paint jobs for $175 to $250. Each comes with three stakes to anchor its feet.

Why deserves a longer explanation. Several years ago, a family in Maine took in a child, first as a foster, then adopted, who was diagnosed with autism. She arrived with a stuffed rooster as a comfort device. During a family visit to Tractor Supply she asked her parents what the big rooster was saying. Her father answered "I think it wants to come home with us." 

First one, then several, then many more, the roosters adorned their yard. They saw that their daughter was more at ease waiting for the school bus with a rooster for company. Trouble, or more specifically, notariety, arose when her parents added rooster images to shirts and other merchendise for their restaurant, The Omlette Factory. The town saw their lawn statues as unaurthorized advertising, and issued a fine. A compromise was reached - their lawn display would be limited to two roosters and the fine dropped via a "disability variance." 

As a consequence, the family loaned/gifted roosters to others to “foster” and show their support for autism acceptance, first locally, and then farther afield. Independently, people have been buying and displaying Tractor Supply roosters beyond Maine, and in fact, beyond the United States. Roosters of Ogunquit Facebook provides an origin story with its Mission Statement "The mission of Roosters of Ogunquit is to advance autism and neurodiversity awareness, acceptance, support, understanding, and inclusion through community connection and collaboration, advocacy, and education." Pick-up by local and national media for this 'feel good' story added to the exposure. And, we must assume, the appearance of a rooster in Maynard.  

A painted rock from Maynard's painted rocks era

Given the ease of supply, one has to hope that our resident rooster remains a one-off rather than the harbinger of a pink flamingo-like group proliferation. And on behalf of the Town of Maynard, I am asking that the anonymous person(s) responsible for this installation add a comment to this column to provide a name and a confirmation that this is intended as a symbol of awareness and support for families with members with autism. Perhaps the sculpture might move at times to different locations along the Assabet River Rail Trail, accompanied by a sign that explains the significance. Or stay where it is with such a sign.

Coda: One trait linked to people on the autistic spectrum is collecting rocks, not necessarily as geological specimen samples but more for unusual/comforting shape/feel. Finding rocks that other people have painted and placed in public spaces fall into pleasing collectables. Kindness Rocks is a project that started on Cape Cod in 2015, which in turn triggered Tacoma Rocks (2016), and that from that one to Maynard Rocks (2017). For the artistic, inspired and autistic, fall is a good time to break out your paint brushes and contribute to Maynard's life outdoors.