The first stop on the guided tour experience is a newly designed timeline that describes over 350 years of history at the site. The timeline begins pre-1626 when the Naumkeag tribe used this region for seasonal fishing and will then weave through the fortune of the families who owned the property, the fame of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the philanthropic mission of Caroline Emmerton and how that inspires our mission and work today. This space features rotating items from our collections and archives as well as never-before-seen images that bring the story of The House of the Seven Gables to life.
Gables staff created this timeline in response to the 2018 interpretive master plan. An interpretive plan helps a historic site or museum find unique methods to share history and stories that best meet the needs of the audience. The desire for a timeline came up in our many interviews and surveys with visitors.
We are grateful to Essex National Heritage Area for providing 50 percent of the funding for this important project. White Light Visual of Beverly kindly provided services at a price that met our budget needs for the completion of this project. Their design and installation services are some of the best in the industry.
Please join us for a guided tour to enjoy this enhancement to The Gables.