Local History

Chicki Curtis stands next to her mini Marblehead village depicting the town during winter. COURTESY PHOTOS / SHARON DOLIBER ...And then there was another one and another one and another one.  The Old Town House as depicted in Chicki Curtis’ miniature Marblehead village.  That’s how Marblehead resident Chicki Curtis, in part, tells the story behind her sprawling miniature replica of Marblehead, depicting the town blanketed in white powder during the holiday season. The mini village, now on display in the Gerry 5, features several local landmarks and hundreds of little pieces - trees, animals, children, cars - to capture Marblehead at the turn of the 20th century.  “We lost several pieces the last couple of years somehow, but if you count everything there is...

To begin, did you know that two Marblehead women were given the responsibility of looking after Fort Sewall in the 19th century? But first, a little history: The property now called Fort Sewall was originally known to 17th century Marbleheaders as Mavericks Head. Named for Marblehead resident Moses Maverick who originally owned the oceanside property. . An 1860 watercolor painting of Fort Sewall depicting where the commander’s quarters once stood. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM The original earthwork fort was built in 1644 and equipped with cannons to protect the town from possible attacks by the Dutch and the French. By the 1670’s, the land on which the fort was built became known as Gales Head. Named for it ‘s next owner, Ambrose Gale. In the 1790’s, the U.S. Gove...