Public Programs
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Each year The Gables partners with local experts, musicians, writers, actors, and literary and historic institutions to create and present engaging and meaningful programming open to the public. We seek to explore our annual themes, historic preservation, the history and cultures that make up the North Shore area of Massachusetts, literature, and art. There is something for everyone from Community Conversations, lectures, performances, specialty tours, and participation in local festivals. Check out what’s coming up and come join the Gables as we explore history and culture together!
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Each year, The House of the Seven Gables selects a theme to explore through Community Conversations. We invite experts in the relevant areas of study to present their work, discuss the relationship of the theme to The Gables and engage our community in meaningful conversations. Unlike a traditional lecture, this series encourages discussion between speakers and audience members.
This year’s topic is The Settlement Movement past and present. The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association as we know it today was established in 1910 and had grown out of the philanthropic work of our founder, Caroline Emmerton and the Salem Settlement Committee to serve Salem’s immigrant population. Over the last nearly 120 years, Settlement work has changed with the needs of the groups it serves. While many Settlement Associations closed over the course of the 20th century, the legacy, and in many cases the community offerings, remain. Additionally, the immigrant groups in Salem, their stories, and their contributions have changed, creating a more colorful and diverse cultural fabric here in Salem and the North Shore. This year’s Community Conversations series will focus on the history of the Settlement movement, the cultures of the groups with whom we work, and what Settlement and Salem looks like today.
LIVE THEATER
Each year The House of the Seven Gables presents a variety of theatrical performances centered around Hawthorne, Salem and other Gables-related stories. We partner with independent actors and groups to bring literary works, characters and even authors to life!
Most popular are our October evening performances as well as Salem Literary Fest’s Enduring Hawthorne.
MISSED A PROGRAM?
Our YouTube channel is full of lectures, events, and information.
Additional programming is planned with a goal to engage our diverse audience with the National Historic Landmark District historic site. Past events have included first-person interpretive experiences, community days, theatrical and musical experiences, and art events. Lectures outside of the Seven Lectures series that highlight the mission and vision of the organization have been offered by outside scholars and staff with particular areas of expertise. To view our event calendar, click here.