Public Programs
Upcoming Programs
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FRANCES PERKINS
August 18-September 18, 2023
The House of the Seven Gables invites the public to see the traveling exhibit The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins. Frances Perkins (1880-1965), the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet, was Secretary of Labor (1933-1945) for the entire tenure of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Perkins was the driving force behind many of the groundbreaking New Deal programs that are still the foundation of the American social safety net — Social Security, unemployment insurance, the 40-hour work week, and the minimum wage.
This exhibit will be held in the Visitor Center August 18 through September 18.
Frances Perkins was born in Boston, educated in the public schools of Worcester, and graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1902. During summers throughout her life Frances spent time at her ancestral family homestead, a saltwater farm in Newcastle, Maine, now a National Historic Landmark owned by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Frances Perkins Center.
About the Frances Perkins Center: The Center is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of the woman behind the New Deal by continuing Frances Perkins’ work for social and economic justice and by preserving for future generations her nationally significant family homestead in Newcastle, Maine.
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 climate change. Climate change impacts us all, but in different ways and with a variety of outcomes. This year’s Community Conversations series will focus on some of these impacts, existing and proposed efforts to mitigate the negative changes, and what we can do as individuals to address climate change in our communities.
LIVE THEATER
Each year The House of the Seven Gables presents a variety of theatrical performances centered around Hawthorne, Salem and relevant holidays. We partner with independent actors and groups such as History Alive to bring literary works, characters and even authors to life!
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. If you are interested in presenting at The Gables please call 978-306-7003 or zquinn@7Gables.org.