Please join the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum in its effort to save a historic 18th century barn and a piece of our community’s history. A premier example of pre-industrial workmanship, the barn features hand-hewn timbers and traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Once part of the historic Cogswell farm in the Town of Essex, MA, the barn has proudly served many generations, including the prominent female American architect Eleanor Raymond. It is a structure with both historic and architectural importance.

The barn is currently located on John Wise Avenue in Essex, on a site under municipal development. It was originally slated for demolition, but the Museum has an opportunity to disassemble and preserve the barn; however, the structure must be removed by mid-February 2020 or it will be demolished. There is a team of enthusiastic and skilled volunteers working at the site already, but your financial support is critical to the success of this effort.

Time is of the essence and we need your help!

“Speaking to their good stock and helpful demeanor, the contractors hired to construct the new Town Safety Building have no appetite for driving their steel buckets through the still sturdy, quite entirely intact original roof and walls of this long serving, still ready, good friend.” -David Brown, Vice President of the ESM Board of Directors

It is the Museum’s intent that the legacy of this historic structure not come to an end, and that – once successfully disassembled and removed – the barn be re-erected and preserved at the Museum’s shipyard, a National Heritage Site, where it can be used for desperately needed boatbuilding, educational programming, or interpretive space, and where the public can access and appreciate the craftsmanship and history of the structure for generations to come. The Museum has raised an initial $22,000 from private donors to kick off this effort, and has received generous donations of time and equipment from local firms.

However, additional funding is critical.

The Museum currently has a commitment to match dollar-for-dollar the next $20,000 of donations, to help reach an immediate goal needed to accomplish the removal of the barn from the site and avoid its demolition. Further funding will be needed to support the barn’s re-erection and re-purposing.For more information go to the EHSSM website: https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/barn-rescue or to make a donation go here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/save-the-hay-barn and thank you!

At Action Inc., our goal is to meet our community’s needs. Every three years, we conduct a community-wide needs assessment to better understand the issues that are most important to Cape Ann residents.

Please take five minutes to complete our survey and tell us the biggest challenges that you see facing Cape Ann residents today. Your input will help us improve our services in the future.

If you provide contact information, you will also be entered into a drawing for one of ten $25 Market Basket gift cards!

Thanks so much for your help!

Survey Links

English: actioninc.org/survey

Español: actioninc.org/encuesta

Portugués: actioninc.org/pesquisa

 

Please join us at our state-of-the-art teaching facility in Blackburn Center on Thursday, January 23rd for Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s first Open House of the year.

Come learn more about this innovative program and how it can lead to an exciting career in biotech!

Applications for the 2021 class will be available, and students, alumni and teachers will be on site to chat with and answer your questions.

Please reach out to Lead Teacher Elizabeth Wing at elizabeth.wing@gmgi.org for more information.

 

Come and join the conversation with Dan Noyes as he talks about building and sailing his Centennial Dory up and down the Atlantic Coast.

Dan, an accomplished boat designer, builder and repairer based in Newbury, will entertain and engage with tales of boat building and seafaring.

Grab a friend and come enjoy the discussion.

January the 8th, 7:00pm at Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, Essex MA 01929. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance here: https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/museum-store/frame-up-to-fit-out-1

Use our fantastic screening room or take advantage of the meeting hall and kitchen downstairs! Spiran Hall is ready to host your next event, whatever that may be. We can assist with any technical setup that needs to happen to make your event one to remember! Contact us here!

Dear Cape Ann Farmers Market Friends,

Started in 2006 by a group of volunteers who wanted to purchase and enjoy local food while making it accessible to the whole community, the Cape Ann Farmers Market (CAFM) is about to conclude its 14t​h​ season.

Since our beginning, numerous local farmers and small food businesses have gotten their start at CAFM. Many have moved-on to open brick-and-mortar storefronts and regional distribution networks.

CAFM is truly an example of what it means to generate ‘home grown’ local success stories.

I was one of the early volunteers back in 2006 who envisioned a thriving community gathering space where farmers and food producers would connect directly with the residents of Cape Ann. I was also one of the people who hired Farmers Market Director, Niki Bogin.

At the end of 2019, Niki will be stepping down after 12 years leading the market and making it what it is today: a Gloucester institution.​ During her tenure Niki has attracted more than 20 farmers, helping to preserve over 700 acres of local farmland, and attracted ​over 100 ​food producers and micro businesses to sell at the Cape Ann Farmers Market.

When CAFM began, not one participating farm was physically located on Cape Ann. Since 2007 ​more than 1⁄2 of CAFM’s farmers have been local, ​using the Market as a platform to get established and/or expand. Furthermore, Cape Ann Farmers Market has partnered with/or hosted over 50 local non-profits to help them publicize their efforts. Backyard Growers, Art Haven’s Teen Artist Guild, and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance’s Cape Ann Fresh Catch and Seafood Throwdown all got their start through CAFM.

Niki is excited to pass the baton to the next Farmers Market Director, Courtney Ayer, who will assume the director role effective January 1, 2020. Courtney and CAFM’s volunteer leadership team are eager to build on Niki’s success and take CAFM into the future.

In celebration of the Cape Ann Farmers Market and how aptly Niki has grown this Gloucester institution, ​please join me in renewing your membership today​!

Not only will your membership help CAFM to end 2019 on strong financial footing, but membership entitles you to great savings all year long on delicious foods and products around town. Please use the following link to review the benefits of membership and pay online. ​Please seriously consider membership at the $50 or $100 level.

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

I know you’ll agree with me in saying that the Cape Ann community, local farmers, and small food businesses are all better off because of Niki Bogin’s tireless dedication. Thank you, Niki! And thank ​YOU​ for standing with me as an enthusiastic fan of the Cape Ann Farmers Market: now and heading into the next decade of our success.

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Dimond, cofounder of CAFM and CAFM Advisory Committee member

**Holiday Special**
Get your $50  membership before the end of 2019 and get a bonus $5 to spend on anything at CAFM!

Click the link below to get your membership today and help keep CAFM strong. Membership perks at local Cape Ann businesses and restaurants make it easy to make back your investment – and they make a great holiday gift!

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

Come learn a new skill or craft to do by the fire this winter at our Solstice Celebration.

There will be activities such as log splitting in the yard and crafts from wood carving to knitting in the Waterline Center for kids and adults.

Activities range from $2 to $20. There will be baked goods and hot drinks!

December 21st from 11am to 4pm at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, Essex 01929

For more information go to the website: https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/calendar-of-events