History

Symposium at the Meetinghouse: ‘PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY?’

~ chasnaz

This is a community Symposium presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and its clean energy initiative TownGreen/2025 on Saturday afternoon November 11th, 2-6:00pm.

The event will explore whether preservation of our older homes and historic civic buildings is compatible the goal of becoming “green” through expert presentations, responses from a distinguished panel, and Q&A with the audience.

Cape Ann is actively pursuing two goals that are sometimes viewed as separate or opposed.  One is for the preservation of Cape Ann’s historic buildings and homes, especially as Gloucester’s 400th anniversary approaches in 2023.  The other is to seek alternate sources of clean energy, minimize consumption, and reduce our overall carbon footprint to counter the global forces of climate change.

We explore many aspects of the basic question:  Can preservation and sustainability can be complementary rather than competitive goals?

Some of the issues emerged recently in the controversy about whether the Sawyer Free Library should build an all-new structure or work within an existing building envelope that was purposely designed to complement the landmark buildings of the Historic District.

In a sequence of four 50 minute sessions with 10 minute breaks, the Symposium will provide a friendly and informative forum in which residents may interact with professionals to discuss how these two worthy goals sometimes conflict or may go together.

LOCATION:  The historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street.  Parking is available on the green, next door at St. John’s Church, and at the Sawyer Free Library.  Accessible side entrance with an elevator is at 10 Church Street.

ADMISSION:  Free (offerings gratefully accepted), refreshments available all afternoon

More information is available at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Sargent House Museum Hosts Historic Styles

~ Shannon Cardinal

 

GLOUCESTER, MA –The Sargent House Museum is currently hosting eighteenth-century inspired fashion. Created for The Folklore Theatre Company’s 2015 production of “The Medium, or Virtue Triumphant” the four outfits on exhibit at the historic home are based on patterns for dresses and suits popular between 1780-1805.

Judith Sargent Murray lived in the Sargent House between 1782-1793. She wrote plays including “The Medium, or Virtue Triumphant,” one novel, and a breadth of essays, poems, and letters.  She was the first American playwright to have her work produced in Boston. A leading advocate of women’s rights, Sargent Murray deeply valued education, representation in government, and the right to work. Her pieces often focused on these issues. She enjoyed a celebrated reputation as a notable author, devoted Universalist, and friend of prominent figures such as John and Abigail Adams. The Sargent House Museum hosts remarkable examples of early American furnishings, artifacts owned by the Sargent family, and an incredible art collection including pieces by Fitz Henry Lane and John Singer Sargent. The costumes on display range from an everyday dress, to an evening gown and a wealthy man’s formal suit. These costumes were designed by Christine Curtis, Costume Designer. Through extensive research and amazing attention to detail, Curtis created these outfits worn by the actors in Henry Allen’s 2015 production. Representative of the fashions Sargent Murray would have encountered, the dresses and suit on loan from The Folklore Theatre Company will be on display this summer.

Tour the Sargent House Museum to learn more about Judith Sargent Murray’s enduring legacy and see these incredible pieces. The museum is located at 49 Middle Street in Gloucester and open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Guided tours are offered on the hour. While you’re there browse the free exhibit “’Forever Endeared:’ 100 Years at the Sargent House Museum.” Visit sargenthouse.org to learn more.