Local History - Marblehead Current

Anchoring the past: Eric Jay Dolin’s ‘Rebels at Sea’ captures national attention

28Sep

By Benji BoydNo Comments

Art, Culture, Local History, Local News, Top Stories

Anchoring the past: Eric Jay Dolin’s ‘Rebels at Sea’ captures national attention

Nautical history author Eric Jay Dolin embodied Marblehead’s maritime spirit in his last book “Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution.” Dolin’s 15th book has been racking up awards since its publication last year, including the 2023 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award and the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature. This coming May, Dolin will release his 16th book “Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World.” “Rebels at Sea” recounts the largely untold story of colonial privateers and their role in the Revolutionary War. According to Dolin, privateers commissioned by the American government to attack British vessels played a crucial role in colonial victory. Dolin commented that before beginning his research for the book, h...

27Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Sept. 27-Oct. 4

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Slavery to freedom walking tourSaturday, Sept 30, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7 1p.m. Join Jarrett Zeman, assistant director at the Marblehead Museum, for his new walking tour on the history of slavery and abolitionism in Marblehead. Ever since Marbleheaders built the Desire, the first ship to transport enslaved people to Massachusetts Bay Colony, Marblehead has experienced close links to slavery. You'll see sites of local slavery from the 1700s and sites from the 1800s where black and white abolitionists fought for freedom from the pulpit, the ballot box, and the ...

20Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

Bringing people together through bocce

Behind the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center on Tuesday afternoon, the air was filled with laughter, cheers and encouragement. Members of the Anchor to Windward (ATW) group and local seniors were engrossed in their third annual bocce ball tournament, organized by the Marblehead Council on Aging (COA). A bocce player lines up the perfect shot. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD ATW is a nonprofit organization that has served adults with developmental disabilities in Marblehead for over 20 years. Its mission is to empower its diverse members — ranging from their 20s to 70s — to reach their full potential through skill-building programs for independent living. What began three years ago as a new activity for ATW members has blossomed into a beloved annual tradition that unites peop...

20Sep

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Local History

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Power of Speech aims to help kids communicate, feel empowered

The following is an interview with The Power of Speech owner, Jessica Brown, M.S. CCC-SLP, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The Power of Speech provides speech and language therapy for children of all ages. To learn more about Brown’s play-based approach, go to thepowerofspeech.us. Jessica Brown started her Marblehead speech therapy practice in 2016. Tell us about The Power of Speech and why you started it. The Power of Speech provides speech and language therapy to children of all ages and abilities. We have a welcoming therapy space right at my house in Marblehead, as well as a backyard that is designed with my clients in mind. Connecting with each child, building their confidence and growing their ability to effectively communicate in a way that works best for them are a few thi...

20Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local History, Local News, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Best bets in Marblehead Sept. 20-27

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Poetry SalonThursday, Sept. 21, 2-4 p.m. Abbot Library’s Poetry Salon kicks off its fall series by exploring the works of Boston-area poet Moira Linehan. Join Salem State University Professor Emerita Claire Keyes to discuss Linehan’s four books of poetry. Join in person at 3 Brook Rd., or via Zoom. More info at abbotlibrary.org. Folk-rock at Me&TheeFriday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m. Folk-rock star Jon Pousette-Dart performers at Me&Thee Music. He has performed with greats like Bonnie Raitt, The Eagles, James Taylor, The J. Geils Band, Billy Joel and more. Pous...

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Uncategorized

Marblehead Historical Commission debuts Abbot Hall scavenger hunt

The Marblehead Historical Commission is launching a new scavenger hunt at Abbot Hall to engage children, families and visitors. The year-round activity will be featured in this fall's Trails and Sails events by the Essex National Heritage Area, Sept. 22-24. Participants can find clue cards and pencils in the Select Board Room. The hunt is free and open to all ages. The project was led by a team of volunteers, including newcomers to Marblehead. Jennie Cohen, who moved to town last year, used her media and website experience for the initiative. High school student Zara Monks also joined the team, creating answer code images for the hunt. Built in 1876, Abbot Hall serves as both the town hall and a repository for Marblehead's historical artifacts. The hunt will guide participant...

14Sep

By Pam PetersonNo Comments

Columns, Culture, Local History

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: The early signs of Revolution

The causes of the American Revolution are complex, and events leading to the war were as involved as those leading to any war. The extremely unpopular Stamp Act of 1765 imposed a tax on all paper items, from legal documents to playing cards. There is no doubt that the increasing wealth and success of the colonies was a factor, creating a sense of self-reliance. It's no wonder that several successful businessmen prominent in the Revolutionary cause were from Marblehead. In the 1750s and '60s, Marblehead was one of the wealthiest towns in all of the English colonies. There had been many years of relative freedom from governmental constraints while England was occupied in wars with France. This caused colonists to feel independent and to rebel against forms of taxation and restrict...

13Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Great Gatsby comes to Marblehead

More than 175 people came out for the End-of-Summer Speakeasy at the Lee Mansion Saturday night to raise money for the Marblehead Museum. The event was sponsored by the museum and Discover Marblehead and raised $10,000. Marblehead Old Car Club vintage cars parked in front of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE The Johnny Ray Band COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack with The Rubin Brothers Jazz Duo COURTESY PHOTO / MELISSA STACEY Peyton Pugmire, Bonnie Buckley and Melissa Stacey COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE Left to right: William Dean, Jeanne Smith, Karl Smith and Pam Ferris COURTESY PHOTO / MELISSA STACEY

6Sep

By Lauren McCormackNo Comments

Culture, Education, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories, Uncategorized

FROM THE VAULT: The bravery of Marblehead hero Capt. James Mugford

In May of 1776, 26-year-old Capt. James Mugford and his 12-person crew left the safety of Marblehead Harbor in the 60-ton armed ship, the Franklin. A hand-colored, engraved copper plate of Capt. James Mugford, possibly by Samuel Blyth circa 1780. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM COLLECTION Earlier, while forced into service aboard a British vessel, Mugford had overheard talk of a powder ship leaving England loaded with arms and ammunition for the British troops stationed in Boston. Now Mugford was on the hunt to intercept that vessel and take the much-needed supplies for the rebel army. Near Boston Harbor, Mugford came upon the much larger, 300-ton ship, Hope, armed with six guns and several crew. Mugford wasted no time in attacking, even though the British fleet lay not far o...

5Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Environment, Local History, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Gas House Beach closed after failing bacteria test

It's a hot day, but the Marblehead Health Department does not want people cooling off in the water at Gas House Beach. The town has closed the beach due to high bacteria levels. Nearby Devereux Beach, Crocker Park, Grace Oliver and Stramski Beach were tested Tuesday and remain open. Gas House Beach will be tested again Wednesday, with results expected Thursday, said Marblehead Health Director Andrew Petty. The beach will remain closed until bacteria levels meet state standards. People should avoid swimming at posted beaches because of the risk of illness. Petty can be reached at 781-631-0212 for more information.