History – Page 22 – Salem Main Streets

Be A Physical Part of History- House of the Seven Gables

Oct 072014

Overwhelmingly positive and international in scope have been the responses to a fund raising project initiated last June by the House of the Seven Gables. And there is still time for you to get in on the ground floor of this national historic site’s endeavor— literally.

Karen Barter, Director of Development at The House of the Seven Gables explains, “The front entrance walkway of The Gables is in need of brick repair. We decided to do a fund raising project whereby bricks could be purchased and inscribed with the name of a family member or friend. It has been quite successful for other museums and historic sites.”

In fact, she adds that there has been strong interest from foreign supporters of the Gables. Not surprisingly, there are also many writers and authors wishing to invest in the project and have their names associated with the house noted author Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about.

Think of it. Inscribe a wedding date. The names of your children. A loved one who loved Salem. The names will be there for all to see, for years to come. In fact it’s quite possible that your children could bring their children to Salem and take in the surprised looks when the young ones find the family names part of the living history of the House of Seven Gables.

Barter adds that businesses may also support the Gables project. Just no advertising, websites, logos, etc. Only words & numbers.

It’s a chance for you or a relative, whether near or far, to be able to say “that’s my Gables, I own a piece of it” when someone refers to The House of Seven Gables in Salem Ma.

If you’re interested…

Brick, 4″ x 8″, Red clay with laser cut script in black, 1-2 lines (20 characters per line) $65 each brick
Brick, 8″ x 8″, Red clay with laser cut script in black, 1-3 lines (20 characters per line) $125 each brick

The House of the Seven Gables reserves the right to not accept the wording of a donor if it does not align with their mission and code of ethics.

For more information, contact the Development Department at 978-744-0991 ext 126 or email kbarter@7gables.org

Why Do People Come To Salem?

Haunted Happenings, History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Workshops No Responses »

Sep 262014

Simple question. Complex answer. Do they come for the witches and magic and monsters and such? Or is it “much, much more” as has been put forth by others (like in these star-studded video shorts)?

One strong possibility (at least from the looks of our blog entries) is the literary aspect. Everybody knows about Salem’s Nathaniel Hawthorne and House of Seven Gables connection. But in the last week or so, we’ve written blogs about Salem’s relationship with:

1- Edgar Allan Poe. It appears that “A Tell-Tale Heart” might have been based on the grisly murder of Capt. Joseph White in 1830 Salem. And in the midst of our Haunted Halloween Happenings next month there will be interactive events fostered by The Scarlet Letter Press & Gallery to honor Mr. Poe.

2- Charles Dickens. Dickens scholars from around the world, as well as local & international performers, historians and artists have been invited to attend Pickwickian Endeavors, a weekend long conference Sept. 26-28 to held at the Salem Athenaeum and other city spots. This conference is scheduled to feature over 20 presenters and performers. All topics Dickens will be up for discussion.

3- Banned Books. Banned Books Week, has been taking place all week at Wicked Good Books, ending Sept. 27th. According to the American Library Association (ALA) “Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”

4- Book Swap. What can you do with a book? Read it, of course. And then? Use it as a paperweight. Or use two as bookends. The city of Salem offered a more community-minded suggestion recently with a Free Book & Media Swap

And also worthy of note is November’s upcoming Salem Literary Festival.

Proof enough that you can’t judge the Salem book just by its cover.

To Read Or Not to Read; Banned Books Week in Salem

History, Salem Event, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Sep 212014

Some people might compare a book ban to a witch hunt. That said it comes as no surprise Salem’s Wicked Good Books is participating in educating residents and visitors during Banned Books Week, taking place now through Sept. 27th.

Taylor Carozzi, Wicked Good Books manager comments “We are supporting this effort because it is important to society to guard and celebrate our freedom to read and have open access to information.”

Displays and materials about banned books will be available.

According to the American Library Association (ALA) “Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”

The ALA puts forth that sometimes “books are challenged with the best of intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information.” Other times it is censorship.

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the actual removal of those materials.

You are invited to visit Wicked Good Books located at 215 Essex St. to see if you agree or disagree with the books listed.

Sounds Like a Good Time Planned at PEM

Salem Dining, Salem Event No Responses »

Sep 172014

Has it been a month since the last PEM/PM party? The calendar says “yes” and off we go. An Evening in Praise of Audio is the title for this Thursday’s late evening festivities when the Peabody Essex Museum opens its doors from 6 – 9 pm for an event to dazzle the senses.

MIT (yes, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is sending some creative minds from the MIT Media Lab to share their latest project. Let’s repeat that. MIT is going to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Ma to share one of their projects with you: radiO-o

What is it?

According to the press release, you wear one of their battery-powered, button-like speakers and help crowdsource the soundtrack to the evening. Then, see MIT’s Opera of the Future create beautiful imagery generated from this interactive musical project.

In the Atrium, experience the sounds of DJ Kongo and DJ White Animal Sound and check out an impressive collection of vintage radios courtesy of the New England Antique Radio Club. Stop by the Maker Lounge to paint with sound and to build your own mini speakers for your smartphone.

Paint with sound. Intriguing. To give you a better idea of this event, the good people at Creative Salem put together an overview.

As always, PEM members and Salem residents (with ID) are admitted free of charge; nonmembers pay $10 at the door. There will be a cash bar and special small plate menu items from the Hawthorne Hotel. For additional info, call PEM at 978-745-9500. It is located at 161 Essex St.

Sizing Up Salem This Sunday – 3 Diverse Events

History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Sep 142014

What can we tell you that has not been said previously? Salem thy name is diversity. Yes, we are world-famous for our month-long Haunted Happenings festival of events for Halloween. But on any weekend day, there is much more than monsters and mayhem. For example, on Sunday you can check out three special events spotlighting spice, steampunk and cars

Spice, as you may or may not know played a major role in Salem’s early seafaring history and it revisits our city this weekend for the Salem Spice Festival 2014 at Pioneer Village.

Spices, herbs and teas will be explored in culinary and medicinal usage to spotlight Salem’s long and fascinating history with exotic spices from around the world.

As always with most festivals in Salem, there will be arts and crafts, food, demonstrations, live music, lectures, workshops and storytelling featured as well. Salem Food Tours had a very nice photo essay of yesterday’s activities on their Facebook page.

This is a ticket free event (but they won’t turn away a donation). For more info on Pioneer Village at Forest River Park call 978-744-8815 or write to info@pioneervillagesalem.org .

Photo courtesy Social Palates

Steampunk is a grand perception of the future from a point in the Victorian past; science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology. But the concept jumped off the written page to become a style of life for followers. It influences their art, fashion, music, jewelry and so forth.

The Salem Arts Association is showcasing “Gears, Grit and Gaslights: Steampunk in Salem,” a juried art show running now through to Sept. 28th on Artists Row, New Derby St.

Special juror for this show will be Victorian Lady Lisa, known locally and nationally for her Cape Ann cable TV show, All things Victorian and her book, International Steampunk Fashions. She is currently writing a second book on Victorian/Edwardian fashion. A third book, with steampunk designer/model phenom Karo, is also being planned.

Cars— fast ones, pretty ones, and perhaps a strange one or two will be parked along the Essex St Pedestrian Mall walkway on Sunday for your visual delight. The Village Tavern will be hosting its 1st Annual Antique Auto Show, featuring North Shore Old Car Club members displaying “styling” antique cars.

From noon to 5 pm you can look under the hood (sorry, no kicking of tires) and chat with owners who love their antique cars. There will be live music by the Olde Village Fountain and all proceeds raised will be donated to the Salem Veteran’s Services.

See, Salem is not just a bunch of hocus pocus…

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