We are excited to introduce our blog and hope that this forum will be able to capture some of the vibrant new changes we have planned for 2012 and beyond. We will also be featuring some of the lesser known facts about the Gables’ history and site.
For instance, did you know that Nathaniel Hawthorne added the “w” in his last name after he graduated from college so that he would not be linked to his great-great-grandfather, Justice John Hathorne. Turns out Hathorne was one of the key interrogators during the witchcraft hysteria, and never regretted or apologized for his responsibility in the deaths of the 19 people who were killed. Pretty amazing stuff! And there are loads more really interesting facts to come!
2012 marks the 102nd year the House of the Seven Gables has been in operation in Salem. We plan to offer a variety of new exhibits, tours and programs that pay homage to Caroline Emmerton’s original mission to support programs which serve Salem’s immigrant population.
The Gables’ museum is the first of its kind in the country dedicated to social service work, and this year we are proud to have the Salem Prep Program in operation at The Settlement House. After a year of funding several offsite youth programs around the North Shore last year, we are thrilled to have almost thirty students back onsite!
Salem Prep Program is part of the Salem Public School system. They offer classes to students (up to 21 years of age) who don’t do well in traditional classrooms – perhaps they aren’t proficient in English, or have learning disabilities. For every two students in any given classroom, there is one teacher, so the students get extra attention and care. We are very glad to have them with us.
Something else we’re very excited for you to see are the fascinating changes we have in the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthplace House! We have a trove of actual objects from Hawthorne’s personal effects that will be displayed. These exhibits will be changed on a regular basis, so you may see his childhood chair, his snuff-box or even the desk where he penned The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables! Come back again and again to enjoy these irreplaceable pieces of history.
This year we will also produce self-guided tours of the other fantastic historic buildings we have onsite, as well as a detailed tour of our spectacular gardens.
Watch for our new website, new brochures and information on our new volunteer/docent program! If you would like to volunteer at the Gables, we’d love to talk to you. Please email us here at sevengablesblogger@gmail.com and our volunteer coordinator can help you.
Check back soon for more updates!
Thanks for reading and be sure to plan a visit!