Local History

NEW: Popular Marblehead Museum leader stepping away on eve of 250th
11 May

NEW: Popular Marblehead Museum leader stepping away on eve of 250th

Leigh BlanderLocal History, Top Stories
The Current has learned that Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack is resigning effective June 30. She has been at the museum since 2018. "As much as I love the museum, I just can't do the three-hour round trip commute everyday anymore (I live in central Mass). I have accepted a position as executive director of Freedom's Way National Heritage Area and start there in early July," McCormack wrote in an email. She added about Marblehead Museum: "We are in the process of hiring a new…
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From tax rates to poor house, 135-year-old report offers window into town life
30 Apr

From tax rates to poor house, 135-year-old report offers window into town life

Leigh BlanderLocal History, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Meeting
Jerry Wishnow was combing through bins at a flea market on the Lynnway years ago when something caught his eye: a 72-page paperback titled “Town of Marblehead Auditors’ Report, 1890-91.” As Marbleheaders closely follow today’s budget and override debate, Wishnow said the old report offers a fascinating look at how little — and how much — has changed.  Jerry Wishnow stands on his back porch holding the copy of the “Town of Marblehead Auditors’ Report 1890-91.”  CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Wishnow, a retired award-winning…
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Marblehead brings its special history to the party as the U.S. celebrates 250
23 Apr

Marblehead brings its special history to the party as the U.S. celebrates 250

Jordan HorowitzCommunity Resources, Culture, Local History, Local News
This July 4 will mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence — and thus the nation’s 250th birthday. Festivities and events to commemorate the first quarter-millenium of the United States are being planned all across the country, but what’s happening here in Marblehead is truly special. That’s because this historically rich town, with its 300-plus Colonial-era homes lining the streets, played a decisive role in the patriots’ victory against the British during the Revolutionary War, a fact which the Marblehead…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
22 Apr

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Julia RocklerArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Local History, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email info@marbleheadnews.org.  Live music with 5 X Fast Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m.  Come rock out with local band 5X Fast, which performs a mix of indie, alternative and new wave covers. They’re playing at The Landing Restaurant. Dan Dixey at Marblehead MuseumThursday, April 23, 7 p.m. Dan Dixey returns to the Marblehead Museum for the latest in his series of popular “Marblehead Images” lectures. The event will feature historic photographs…
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News in brief: Week of March 30
29 Mar

News in brief: Week of March 30

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Entertainment, Health, Local History, Local News, Public safety
The Current welcomes 150–200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org. Marblehead Police want youGo behind the badge and learn about the Marblehead Police Department from the inside. MPD is offering its eight-week course Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., starting April 23. Attendees will meet local officers, detectives and staff and learn how operations work. They’ll observe a real trial and tour the Middleton House of Corrections. The course is free. Learn more and register at marbleheadma.gov/citizen-police-academy. Epstein Hillel School awarded security grantThe state has…
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Through the years: Dan Dixey’s snowy Marblehead
24 Feb

Through the years: Dan Dixey’s snowy Marblehead

Leigh BlanderLocal History, Top Stories
As Marblehead continues to dig out from one of its snowiest winters in recent memory, the Current turned to local photographer and historian Dan Dixey, who has collected thousands of photographs, negatives, slides and even stereo cards of Marblehead, dating back to the 1860s. Dixey shared a striking gallery of snowy scenes spanning several decades. Enjoy! Water Street, Blizzard of 1978 Tucker Street, Blizzard of 1978 Blizzard of 1978 Bassett Street, 1978 Washington Street,1969 Town tractor, 1969 King's Rook, State Street, Blizzard of 1978 Hoods…
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Remembering Marblehead mariners lost 50 years ago
11 Feb

Remembering Marblehead mariners lost 50 years ago

Luca TedescoLocal History, Sailing, Top Stories
The recent fishing vessel tragedy in Gloucester comes as Marblehead remembers local fishermen lost at sea 50 years ago.  In the last days of January 1976, Marbleheaders Steven “Leroy” Haynes, 26, and Capt. Steven “Stevie” Goodwin, 31, died alongside Stephen Kelly, 32, of Newport, Rhode Island, and Candice Stuart, 21, of Newport and Sarasota, Florida, aboard the steel-hulled lobstering vessel, Zubenelgenubi. The 60-foot craft, named for a quadruple star system in the constellation Libra, left Newport on Jan. 18 on what Goodwin described to his…
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News in brief: Save the Glover update, PJ collection and more
09 Feb

News in brief: Save the Glover update, PJ collection and more

Leigh BlanderArt, Local History, Local News, News in brief, Nonprofit corner
Bruins PJ Drive Collection Donate children’s pajamas to the 19th annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive at Abbot Public Library. The library will be collecting pajamas in its front lobby through Saturday, March 14. Last year, people donated 55 pairs of PJs. The library’s goal this year is 100. Save the Glover Save the Glover announced that two recent fundraising events held in late January raised over $10,000 to support preservation of the historic Gen. John Glover farmhouse at 299 Salem St., Swampscott. To date, the…
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FROM THE VAULT: Before CVS, there was William Goodwin, Marblehead’s 19th-century pharmacist
03 Feb

FROM THE VAULT: Before CVS, there was William Goodwin, Marblehead’s 19th-century pharmacist

Submitted ContentFrom the Vault, Local History, Local News
By Lauren McCormack, executive director of the Marblehead Museum For much of the late 19th century, the row of buildings from 96 to 104 Washington St. was known as Drug Store Row. Three druggists — William H. Shepard (96 Washington St.), William M. Lemmon (98 Washington St.) and William Goodwin (104 – now 102 – Washington St.), vied for the town’s pharmaceutical customers. Last December, the descendants of William Goodwin donated items from their ancestor’s store, as well as a thoroughly-researched family history, containing numerous…
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Marblehead honors Glover with annual march to Burial Hill
31 Jan

Marblehead honors Glover with annual march to Burial Hill

Grey CollinsLocal History, Top Stories
Just as ice and snow couldn’t stop Glover’s Regiment from crossing the Delaware and capturing Trenton 250 years ago, the frigid 15-degree temperatures and deep snow couldn’t stop more than 80 Marbleheaders from honoring Gen. John Glover's memory on Saturday evening. Glover’s Regiment, followed by dozens of residents, marched down Washington Street to Old Burial Hill to the sound of drums and fifes, and the light of lanterns, to hold the annual ceremony honoring Glover.  Families watched in wonder through their frosty windows as the…
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