By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com
LOWELL -- It was the 1950s when a young Patrick Mogan came to Lowell, a Norwood native who had grown up in an Irish enclave where a person's heritage was considered a handicap.
"You became something better when you became something else," Mogan recalled of that place last night.
In a generation, Norwood lost much of its Irish heritage.
Here in Lowell, where he was principal of the Molloy and Reilly schools, Mogan wanted to make sure that never happened.
The city was trying to revitalize itself, and across the country that meant tearing down old buildings and starting anew.
Mogan found Greek, and French and Polish communities here though, he found old mills and canals; and in the city's history and cultures he saw value, not a handicap.
"I have always said that I don't want Lowell to be a spectator of its own dying culture," Mogan said.
Most people thought he was "crazy" when he wanted to retain the city's culture and history, and maybe even make it a National Park.
The World War II veteran, who would go on to become superintendent of Lowell schools, was tenacious, and he saw that idea through.
More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of "the father of Lowell National Historical Park," last night.
It was at the park's visitors' center that the celebration was held, complete with a cake and flowers from two members of the Angkor Dance Troupe, which today helps to maintain Cambodian culture in the city.
A short video documenting what Mogan had done was shown, followed by speakers touting his accomplishments.
Lowell National Historic Park Superintendent Michael Creasey and Sarah Peskin, who works at the National Park Service regional office, said Mogan's idea had changed not just Lowell, but the nation.
The NPS had not considered urban places like Lowell a place for parks before it created the Lowell park in 1978. Only places like Yosemite National Park or the Statue of Liberty were on the agency's radar.
Today, that has all changed.
Charles Nikitopoulos, professor emeritus of psychology at UMass Lowell, went over a laundry list of initiatives, programs and groups Mogan started, from the Model Neighborhood Association to education programs, but said they call come together to form one lifelong effort.
Going beyond that list, Nikitopoulos said Mogan also should be honored for the inspiration he set loose in the city.
"It's not just what Pat Mogan has done, but what those inspired by Pat Mogan have done," Nikitopoulos said.
Paul Marion, of UMass Lowell's Office of Community Outreach, spoke of the way Mogan changed the city not just with specific activities, but with his way of thinking.
"I think the best thing we could do for Patrick Mogan's birthday is to be expansive thinkers," Marion said.
"There are people in our lives with tremendous vision and tenacity, people who can lead. Mr. Mogan, you have led this city for a very long time," Mayor Edward "Bud" Caulfield said. "You are the father of our national park, superintendent of schools, and you have shown us the way for many, many years."
Even at 90, Mogan isn't done, according to Mehmed Ali, director of the park's Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center.
"He still calls me with ideas every month," Ali said.
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Tuesday, March 25, 2008