This story is republished from our colleagues at the nonprofit, independent Swampscott Tides.
The Historical Commission is looking into pursuing the creation of a single-housing historic district to ensure the Glover Farmhouse is not demolished.
General John Glover’s farmhouse may be the only still-intact, originally placed direct connection that Swampscott has to the American Revolution. The building is one of the town’s oldest surviving homes and among the few remaining 18th-century structures in the region. The Historical Commission is working to raise between $1.5 million and $2 million to preserve the Glover Farmhouse and meet conditions proposed by National Development in its property plan.
National Development is considering adding another floor or additional space to its planned housing development to offset the loss it would face from preserving the Glover Farmhouse, according to Historical Commission Chair Nancy Schultz.
“Their proposal is that we should raise the money and have at least the exterior envelope of the building renovated before the residential complex opens,” Schultz said, indicating that the Historical Commission would have to complete those repairs within 18 months of the beginning of National Development’s construction.
The single-housing historic district would ensure the Glover Farmhouse is not demolished if the commission cannot repair the building within the timeline set by National Development.
“We do seem to have time to start this process,” Schultz said. “This seemed like a promising route for us…It would mean the Glover cannot be demolished whether we raise the money or not.”
The Planning Board would have to make the decision, according to Schultz. It would have to go in front of the Town Meeting as well.
“As much as I want to trust and believe that we can raise $1.5 to $2 million in two years…I think we need certainty,” Schultz said.
Schultz also said that after the district is formed the group would pursue National Register status.
In addition, Schultz announced that the Save the Glover Foundation is now working with a fundraiser who is helping the group obtain 501(c)(3) status, according to “A benefit to (having 501(c)(3) status) is that we would have full control of the funds,” Schultz said, adding that if the group had gone through the town as originally considered they would not have jurisdiction over the donations. “We’re definitely moving forward.”
National Development did provide $250,000 in seed money to supporting the Glover, according to Historical Commission Member Jonathan Leamon.
“I don’t think they’re betting against us,” Schultz said. “I think they’re very willing to work with us.”
In the meantime, donations can be made to an active GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/d88jma-save-the-general-glover-house-in-swampscott.
In 1775, Glover was elected lieutenant colonel of the 21st Massachusetts Regiment from Marblehead. After Colonel Jeremiah Lee’s death that April, Glover assumed command and led his troops to join the siege of Boston, where General George Washington chartered his schooner to raid British supply ships.
Known as “Glover’s Regiment,” the Marblehead militia became the 14th Continental Regiment, composed of about 500 local mariners and militiamen. The group famously saved Washington’s army from entrapment after the Battle of Long Island and later delayed British forces at the Battle of Pell’s Point.
Glover is perhaps most famously remembered for leading his regiment in rowing General Washington across the Delaware River on the night of December 25, 1776. The crossing culminated in a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries in Trenton.
After the war, Glover was offered the chance to purchase the farmhouse property. Before the Revolution, it had belonged to Salem Loyalist and judge William Browne, whose land was seized by the Massachusetts government under wartime policies. Glover moved there in 1782, when the property spanned 180 acres.
Over the years, the property was also owned by shoe manufacturer Alexander Little and Anthony Athanas, who opened the General Glover House restaurant with additions to the main house in 1957.
Today, the farmhouse occupies 1.56 acres in Marblehead, 2.28 in Swampscott, and about a quarter acre in Salem. About 75% of the original house – including beehive ovens, doors, paneling and hardware – remains intact. Schultz said the property is eligible for both the National Register of Historic Places and National Landmark status.
Earlier this month, the house was named to Preservation Massachusetts’ list of most endangered historic resources. Properties were nominated by “concerned owners, community members, towns, and local organizations.” An anonymous review committee vetted the nominations and voted to select properties with “rich historical significance” in Massachusetts.
The Glover Farmhouse is the oldest building on this year’s Preservation Massachusetts list.
