Thursday, April 25

Local History

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: Marblehead and the American Revolution: 1775
29Nov By Pam PetersonNo Comments
Columns, Local History, Opinion, Pam Peterson

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: Marblehead and the American Revolution: 1775

The year 1775 was a significant turning point for the Revolution in the American colonies. Events built steadily throughout the year, each step leading to the final, inevitable break with England and war. The Trevett House at 65 Washington St., built by Samuel Trevett's father. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM   In February, Redcoats marched through Marblehead on their way to and from what became known as Leslie’s Retreat in Salem. In March, the city of Boston was occupied by British troops under the command of Gen. Gage. At that time, Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. In April, the concerns of British officials about growing unrest and Colonial stockpiling of weapons and gunpowder resulted in the plan to march on and capture munitions ...
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29Nov By Will DowdNo Comments
Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Gen. John Glover Farmhouse gets another reprieve

The fate of an 18th-century home tied to a Revolutionary War hero in Marblehead and the site of the former Glover Restaurant has taken another turn, as developers agreed to extend a demolition delay by five months to allow time to possibly relocate the historic structure.   The Glover Farmhouse, built in 1732, was once home to Revolutionary War Gen. John Glover. Advocates are working to move the long-vacant house to a new location to preserve its history. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD Developer Leggat McCall Properties, planning to build a 140-unit condominium complex on the site spanning Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem, will pause their plans until June.  The additional five months come after an initial nine-month demolition delay ends in January. That gives preservation...
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29Nov By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

Mrs. Claus reflects on decades in Marblehead

Mrs. Claus’ “helper,” Marblehead’s Laura Best, is getting ready for her 39th trip on board the lobster boat with Santa at the Christmas Walk. Beginning in 1984, she has been there to greet hundreds of kids at State Street Landing and listen to their wish lists. “The kids are absolutely amazing,” Best told the Current. “They line up for hours to see Santa and then sometimes they don’t have the courage to talk to him. That’s where I come in. I’m the grandma. I say, ‘Come see me,’ and before you know it, they’re in his face talking to him. I’m like the ice breaker for kids.” Mrs. Claus' ‘helper’ Laura Best looks forward to the Christmas Walk every year. COURTESY PHOTO Best says the children arrive with all kinds of gift requests. “Some kids have a list that’s long as your arm, an...
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22Nov By Lauren McCormackNo Comments
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...
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16Nov By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
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 ...
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15Nov By Pam PetersonNo Comments
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, ...
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11Nov By Will DowdNo Comments
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...
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9Nov By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
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. ...
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8Nov By Lizzie Assa, parenting strategistNo Comments
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...
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