Local History

FROM THE VAULT: Scandal at the Lee Mansion
Columns, Local History, Top Stories

FROM THE VAULT: Scandal at the Lee Mansion

From 1804 until 1904, Marblehead National Bank (no relation to today's Marblehead Bank) owned the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and operated from inside the room that once served as the Lee family's formal parlor. The head cashier of the bank and his family lived in the east side of the building. The bank was a respected business in town. In the fall of 1903, scandal erupted in town. For a week, word spread in the local newspapers and among residents that Marblehead National Bank's head cashier, William Reynolds, had misplaced $19,000 of the bank's funds. Though Reynolds swore he had not pocketed the money, he did admit to covering up the missing cash while he "attempted to trace" it in the books. William Reynolds, Marblehead Bank's last cashier. He and his family were the last people to liv...
Veterans School ranked among best middle schools in MA
Education, Local History, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Veterans School ranked among best middle schools in MA

Marblehead's Veterans Middle School ranks 30th among Massachusetts middle schools, with a score of 94.09 out of 100, according to a U.S. News and World Report study out Tuesday. “Overall, even without this recognition/ranking, I believe that the holistic experience our students have here at Vets is truly comparable to the top middle schools in the state. We have an outstanding staff….involved families….and great students!” Principal Matt Fox wrote to the Current. New interim superintendent Theresa McGuinness added, "Vets is a special middle school. I’m very proud of the academic achievement illustrated in the student performance data recognized by this ranking. It’s evidence of student commitment to hard work, talented educators and a standards-aligned curriculum culminating in ...
MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: Letters in the Select Board’s room
Columns, Local History, Marblehead Chronicles

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: Letters in the Select Board’s room

The fact that they still exist and can be seen by anyone who visits Abbot Hall is due to the care and diligence of the Marblehead Historical Commission, with many volunteers who work on cataloging and maintaining the archives. The general history of the American Revolution, and the colonists' commitment to founding a new nation is certainly well known. But how do we know it? Histories have been written and stories have been told. These accounts are based on and supported by primary documents. That is why original sources are so important. Records, letters, newspapers, and diaries all confirm and contribute to our greater understanding of the events of history. Massachusetts State Resolution, dated 1784 and signed by John Adams and John Hancock. President George Washington’s letter, ...
In Marblehead, veterans share stories of service, sacrifice
Culture, Local History, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

In Marblehead, veterans share stories of service, sacrifice

Several veterans recounted defining moments and daily struggles before, during and after their military careers in a packed Abbot Hall on the eve of Veterans Day Friday. Steve Hahn, the veterans director for the Eastern Essex District, shares his journey from chef to military veteran to veterans’ advocate.   CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD The hour of storytelling marked the ninth annual veterans town hall hosted by Congressman Seth Moulton, a former Marine Corps captain who served four tours in Iraq. Moulton started the storytelling tradition in 2015 after author Sebastian Junger encouraged veteran town halls as a conduit for civilians to listen to and connect with veterans. Moulton’s service in Iraq included being a platoon leader during the invasion in 2003 and subs...
Local couple plans to knock down historic harbor-front home, upsetting residents
Local History, Local News, real estate, Top Stories

Local couple plans to knock down historic harbor-front home, upsetting residents

A Marblehead couple plans to demolish a historic house on the harbor and is asking the town for permission to build a larger one on the same lot. The request has prompted an outcry from some neighbors and residents around town. Holly and Jerome O’Neill purchased 84 Harbor Ave. (not far from the Eastern Yacht Club) in April 2023 for $3.65 million. They currently live on Orchard Street. New owners of 84 Harbor Ave. on the Neck plan to knock down the historic home and build a new one. COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE At a Conservation Commission meeeting on Nov. 9, the O'Neills' land development engineer Scott Patrowicz explained that the new house and pool will be built farther from the shoreline and 50 feet away from the so-called buffer zone. He also spoke about landscaping plans. ...
ASK LIZZIE: Teaching your child ‘self-kindness’
Community resources, Life Style, Local History, Viewpoints

ASK LIZZIE: Teaching your child ‘self-kindness’

The Current is proud to partner with columnist Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead. Dear Lizzie: Although I don't think this was my parents' intention, I walked away from my childhood more self-critical than I'd like. How do I flip this and encourage MY kids to see more of the good about themselves? Hi reader, As parents, we combine the resources we have with our individual experiences. Our parents did their best with the means they had. I applaud you for actively seeking new tools and reflecting on your own experiences. Parenting strategist Lizzie Assa The counterbalance to being self-critical is practicing self-kindness. Instead of trying to remove the self-doubts that chil...
MAKING ROOM: Marblehead eyes Creesy Street park for veterans cemetery
Culture, Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Uncategorized

MAKING ROOM: Marblehead eyes Creesy Street park for veterans cemetery

The town is considering turning a green space and small park on Creesy Street into a new veterans cemetery, according to Cemetery Commissioner Richard Colletti. “We’ve been looking for additional land for some time now,” Colletti told the Marblehead Current.  “We know the current veterans section at Waterside is going to run out of space in just a short time.” The 0.75-acre lot on Creesy Street being considered for a new Marblehead veterans cemetery. The parcel is currently undeveloped and requires cleanup work before it can become an operational burial ground. According to Cemetery Superintendent Catherine Kobialka, there are only about 30 gravesites left in the existing veterans burial ground, located at Waterside overlooking Salem Harbor. “Once those are filled, we’ll have now...
THE DIXEY COLLECTION: Photos of servicemembers
Local History, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

THE DIXEY COLLECTION: Photos of servicemembers

The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer and historian Dan Dixey, who regularly shares photos of Marblehead from his extensive collection, along with information about each shot. Dan Dixey’s father, Vincent Dixey, left, atop a tank in Germany at age 19. COURTESY PHOTO / DAN DIXEY I created this Marblehead Veterans and Active Service Members photo album on Facebook back on Nov. 11, 2012. Each year, I ask for and people send me photos and information to post. It has grown to feature more than 370 photos now. Some great stories and photos have been shared by numerous people. The album’s first photo depicts my father, Vincent Dixey, at left, atop a tank in Germany at age 19. The link to the album can be found on Facebook at bit.ly/45TTT5r
CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Nov. 1-8
Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Nov. 1-8

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.  Rock the ArtsThursday, Nov. 2, 7-10 p.m. Support performing arts programs at Marblehead High School at the Rock the Arts gala at the KingHooper mansion. The evening will feature live music, raffles, appetizers and desserts. Wangari Fahari Trio at Me&TheeFriday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m. The contemporary African music of the Wangari Fahari Trio comes to the Me&Thee, 28 Mugford St. Wangari is a Kenyan singer, writer and activist who was mentored by Grammy award-winning South African singer Miriam Makeba and civil rights activist Joan Baez. Details and tickets at Meandthee.org. Taste of...