Saturday, June 2 was hot and muggy, with rain threatening at any moment and occasionally appearing, but we launched 17th Century Saturdays throughout Essex County and from what we’ve heard the event was a success.

Kudos to the brave women at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers who gave hearth cooking demonstrations in accurate colonial clothing. The hall was like an oven — but, visitors got a strong dose of pre-airconditioning reality! The Nurse Homestead Singers drew a crowd as well, presenting a stellar program of early music that delighted even the uninitiated.

In Ipswich, visitors were drawn to the Whipple House to watch demonstrations of lace making, spinning, and quilting. At the Paine House, visitors were waiting for the house to open when volunteers arrived.

What stories do you have, either as a visitor or participating organization?

Cheers,

Bonnie

I’ve posted information on this exhibit before, but now it is here in Ipswich, MA! The exhibit opening a few nights ago was terrific, complete with a rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen,” original music for the event by Robert Bradshaw, and a talk by Isabel Clover, the British designer of the Hangings.

On Monday, May 21, the Ipswich Charter Hangings will be on exhibit at the Ipswich Public Library through June 2. After that, they move to the Ipswich Visitor Center (Hall-Haskell House) from June 12-24, then to the First Church in Ipswich from June 26-July 21, and to the Ipswich Historical Society from July 27-August 1.

WHY SHOULD YOU GO SEE THEM? Because the Ipswich Charter Hangings depict our shared history in an extraordinary art form. Truly, they are exquisite. Not only that, but the exhibit is accompanied by a gorgeous timeline of Ipswich, UK and Ipswich, MA history by muralist Alan Pearsall, and historical information panels created by Roger Burke, Susan Hill-Dolan, Frederick Winthrop III, and others that explain why, how, and when colonists arrived here and who they were.

For more information, visit ipsiwchtoipswich.com.

June 2, 2007 kicks off this exciting summer-long promotion by the Essex National Heritage Commission, North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (as part of their Escapes North program), and Historic New England.

Houses built during the 17th century will be open on the first Saturday of each month from June-October in towns throughout Essex County.
Many participants have fun activities planned as well, including children’s games and crafts, reenactments, demonstrations of colonial trades, and more. At the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers, the acapella Nurse Homestead Singers (conducted by Glenn Mairo) will perform on June 2 at 1:00 in the replica Salem Village Meetinghouse.

If you are on duty at your historic house on June 2, what special programs do you have planned?

If you’re not working that day, treat yourself to as many sites as you can take in!

See earlier blog about the 17th Century Guide for a list of participating sites.

The online portion of the Guide to First Period Architecture in Essex County is now online!!!

The print version will be available in two weeks.

MANY THANKS to the Essex National Heritage Commission for making this possible.

Meanwhile, invite everyone you know to 17th Century Saturdays. The first one is June 2. They will run all summer long through October. First Period houses will be open throughout Essex County, some the public doesn’t always get to see. Here’s the list of the sites that are participating. At the end is a description of a very cool event taking place at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury.

Beverly

The Balch House, ca. 1680
448 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
beverlyhistory.org | 978-922-1186

The Hale Farm, ca. 1694
39 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915
beverlyhistory.org | 978-922-1186

Danvers
Judge Samuel Holten House, trad. 1670
171 Holten Street, Danvers, MA 01923
978-887-8215
Rebecca Nurse Homestead, trad.1678
149 Pine Street, Danvers, MA 01923
rebeccanurse.org | 978-580-9437

Essex
Essex Shipbuilding Museum, ca. 1668
66 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929
essexshipbuildingmuseum.org | 978-768-7541

Haverhill
John Ward House, ca. 1710-1830
Haverhill Historical Society/
Buttonwoods Museum
240 Water Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
haverhillhistory.org | 978-374-4626
Note: Participating on June 2 and October 6 only.

Ipswich
Paine House at Greenwood Farm, 1694
Jeffrey’s Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
ttor.org | 978-921-1944 x8815
Whipple House, 1677
1 South Village Green, Ipswich, MA 01938
ipswichmuseum.org | 978-356-2811

Marblehead
Jeremiah Lee Mansion, ca. 1768
161 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
marbleheadmuseum.org | 781-631-1768
Note: Programming is specific to the First Period.
King Hooper Mansion, ca. 1728
Marblehead Arts Association
8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, MA 01954
marbleheadarts.org | 781-631-2608
Marblehead Museum, ca. 1630-1720s;
1680s-1720s
Washington Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
marbleheadmuseum.org | 781-6311768

Newbury
Coffin House, 1678
14 High Road, Newbury, MA 01951
historicnewengland.org | 978-462-2634
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, ca. 1690
5 Little’s Lane, Newbury, MA 01951
historicnewengland.org | 978-462-2634
Swett-Isley House, ca. 1670
4 High Road, Newbury, MA 01951
historicnewengland.org | 978-462-2634

Newburyport

First Presbyterian Church (Old South), 1756
29 Federal Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
oldsouthnbpt.org | 978-465-9666
Note: Programming will relate to religious life during the First Period. Not participating on October 6.

Peabody
Nathaniel Felton Sr. House, ca. 1644
Brooksby Farm Conservation Area
47 Felton Street, Peabody, MA 01960
peabodyhistorical.org | 978-977-0514

Salem
Gedney House, ca. 1665
21 High Street, Salem, MA 01970
historicnewengland.org | 978-774-0440
John Ward House, ca. 1684
Brown Street, Salem, MA 01970
pem.org | 978-745-1876
Narbonne House, 1675
71 Essex Street, Salem, MA0 1970
nps.gov/sama | 978-740-1660
Salem in 1630 (Pioneer Village), Replica of 1630
Forest River Park, Salem, MA 01970
salempreservation.org | 978-740-9636
Note: Not participating on October 6.
Corwin House (Witch House), ca.1645-1675
310 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970
salemweb.com/witchhouse | 978-744-8815

Saugus
Boardman House, ca. 1687
17 Howard Street, Saugus, MA 01906
historicnewengland.org | 978-768-3632

Saugus
Saugus Iron Works NHS, ca. 1681-1689
244 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906
nps.gov/sair | 781-233-0050
Note: Open only on October 6.

Topsfield
Parson Joseph Capen House, 1683
1 Howlett Street, Topsfield, MA 01906
topsfieldhistory.org | 978-887-3998
Note: Open only on June 2.

Wenham
Claflin-Richards House, ca. 1670
Wenham Museum
132 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984
wenhammuseum.org | 978-468-2377 x105

________________________________

New Works from Old Places
Saturday, October 6, 5–9pm
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury | 978-462-2634
Celebrate a summer of art at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm with a reception and art sale. Painters, photographers, and artists of many talents, all members of the Newburyport Art Association, will be spending the summer studying 17th century sites in Essex County, including six Historic New England properties in Newbury, Saugus, and Salem, and producing works of art inspired by our rich history. Art in many mediums featuring 17th century architecture, landscapes, and objects, will be on sale throughout the reception, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Historic New England and the Newburyport Art Association. This event also celebrates the last 17th Century Saturday, a summer-long Escapes North collaboration with the ENHC and North of Boston CVB. Admission is free.

Bragging rites - The Boston Globe

Here’s the link to today’s Salem News, about the dendro. test results for the Balch House and the Beverly Historical Society’s response. They are truly to be commended for trying to determine the truth. Not everyone wants to know!

-Bonnie

Recently, a friend of mine treated me to a drive along some back roads of Essex County I had never encountered before. We investigated the small cemetery in Newbury where its first settlers are buried, and then she showed me one of the last remaining Milestone Markers — at the corner of Middle Road and Boston Road in Newbury, marking 35 miles to Boston. What a treasure to still have this hand-carved stone reminder of earlier days of travel! And it’s in wonderful condition.

What does this have to do with architecture? Well, would you settle for context?

Bonnie

The results are finally in, and you can read excerpts from the report in their newsletter.

Bonnie

Thought folks might be interested in this.

Bonnie

Dig it this summer:Historic and prehistoric finds at Rebecca Nurse lead to more interest - Danvers Herald

Exciting news! The Ipswich (UK) Charter Hangings will visit Ipswich, Mass. this summer after they visit Jamestown for the 400th anniversary celebration. Commissioned by the Ipswich (UK) Arts Council in 2000 on the 800th anniversary of their city, the Ipswich Charter Hangings depict eight centuries of Ipswich, UK history — including one showing the Puritans leaving Old England for New England during the 17th century.

To celebrate the Hangings’ appearance in Ipswich, a steering committee comprised of community leaders has organized a series of events and projects called Ipswich-to-Ipswich: History through Art.

What does this have to do with architecture, you ask? If you visit the Ipswich-to-Ipswich: History through Art section of my website, you will see that each Hanging is a collage of historical buildings, bridges, and the natural environment. In Ipswich, Mass., an important component of Ipswich-to-Ipswich: History through Art is to engage Ipswich Public School teachers and students in “Learning by Design” projects. LBD teaches kids about the design process in an engaging way, and encourages them to think about their community architecturally. The Boston Society for Architects strongly supports LBD.

The schedule for when the Hangings will appear and where is on my website. Come see them! Learn more about LBD and find ways to embed these concepts in your own community!

Bonnie Hurd Smith