24 Chestnut St. is at a crossroads — not literally, of course. Geographically speaking, 24 Chestnut St. is off of Atlantic Avenue, making it part of the Shipyard neighborhood. Historically speaking, numerous important figures and themes in Marblehead’s formation can be traced back to the house. Going back to even before the extant house was built, the plot of land itself … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: 24 Chestnut St.
historic building of the week
Historic Building of the Week: 116 Front St.
For longer than I would like to admit, I believed that the word “cordwainer” had to do with making ropes or, well, cords. In fact, I just assumed that a cordwainer wained cord… whatever that meant. I believed this for so long because “cordwainer” does not come up very often in my day-to-day life. But when you deal in New England history — Marblehead history, in particular — … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: 116 Front St.
Historic Building of the Week: A roller-skating rink lost to time
I am really bad at roller skating. I got a pair of roller skates during my junior year of college in an effort to get outside more, but after trying them out in my dorm and later on my parents’ driveway, I realized that it might not be the sport for me. I’m decent at ice skating, but that’s irrelevant. Maybe if the roller-skating rink on Pleasant Street was still open, … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: A roller-skating rink lost to time
Historic Building of the Week: Rechabite Block
That brick building by the National Grand Bank. You know, sort of across from the Riptide. Yeah, it’s attached to the Warwick. That is how you might refer to 107 Pleasant St., which is at the corner of Pleasant and School streets. This building actually has a name, and that name is Rechabite Block. Rechabite Block was born out of the ashes of the 1888 fire, … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: Rechabite Block
Historic Building of the Week: 221 Washington St.
Compared to cities like Boston or even neighboring Lynn, the Town of Marblehead does not seem very urban. Sure, there are parts of Marblehead where “suburban” is the only word that is appropriate to describe the area: single-family homes with front lawns, backyards, a mailbox with one of those red levers, and maybe even a golden retriever to top it all off. But get closer … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: 221 Washington St.