The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is proud to present the original silent movie ‘Peter Pan,’ a 1925 American fantasy-adventure film as part of its Tenth Anniversary Series. It will be narrated by acclaimed actress Lindsay Crouse and accompanied on the pipe organ by maestro Peter Krasinski. This is great entertainment for the whole family during the holidays! Tickets are available at the door and online (strongly recommended) with more information at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org. General admission is $30, students $10, under age 12 free. The historic 1806 Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, is located on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). Parking is available on the green and around the historic district. The side entrance at 10 Church Street has an elevator to the main level, if needed.
For decades the silent movie ‘Peter Pan’ was thought to be lost but in the 1950’s a well preserved copy was discovered in a vault in Rochester, New York. The film is based on a play written by Sir James Barrie and was directed by Herbert Brenon in 1924 and was filmed on Santa Cruz island. The plot explores fantasy, adventure and is a playful film armed with technical ingenuity and classic source material.
The presentation will be narrated by Lindsay Crouse, American actress who made her debut in the 1972 revival of Much Ado About Nothing. She has played many roles in numerous films and received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination. Lindsay is a resident of Annisquam and a well-known celebrity on Cape Ann.
The film will also be accompanied by Peter Krasinski, a master of improvised silent movie accompaniment, whose exciting performances delight kids and adults alike. Krasinski will display the diverse power of the 1893 Hutchings/Fisk organ, creating music that adds mystery, intrigue and excitement to this memorable and nostalgic film.
‘Peter Pan’ is presented in collaboration with the Cape Ann Community Cinema.
Mayor Greg Verga is pleased to announce that beginning Thursday, November 27, 2025, the City of Gloucester will offer free 2-hour parking on Main Street in Zone 6 and Zone 2 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The initiative is designed to encourage visitors and residents alike to shop, dine and stroll the downtown corridor during the holidays, while supporting our local businesses and fostering a vibrant community environment.
Key Details
Free parking will apply in the two-hour metered spaces on Main Street within Zone 6 and Zone 2 from November 27 through December 31.
Even though parking fees are waived,vehicles must still register their license plate number and time either at the on-street kiosk or via the Flowbird Parking app.
The free two-hour session is limited to once per day per vehicle.
The two-hour time limit will be strictly enforced. Vehicles parked longer than two hours will be subject to standard enforcement procedures.
At the kiosks, users will press the check mark to start, enter their vehicle’s license plate number, press the check mark to continue, and finally press the check mark to activate the two-hour session (no payment is required/accepted). The app functions in a similar fashion: you log in, select the Main Street zone, enter your plate and confirm to activate the two-hour session.
The City asks all parkers to comply with the time-limit and registration process to ensure fairness and availability of spaces for all visitors and residents.
Why This Matters
This free-parking offer is part of the City’s broader holiday activation plan: by reducing the barrier to access downtown, the City is supporting Main Street-area merchants, restaurants and galleries and encouraging foot traffic in the heart of Gloucester. At the same time, the enforcement of the two-hour limit protects turnover, ensuring that parking remains accessible through the busy season.
Additional Reminders
The registration of your license plate and time is still required—even though payment is waived. Failure to register may result in a violation.
While Sundays and legal holidays already enjoy free parking across all zones (under normal conditions) in Gloucester, this Main Street waiver is an additional convenience for the holiday period.
A free 20-minute session remains available in all other zones and parking regulations will continue to be enforced in these areas.
Please always check the posted signs in the area to confirm the applicable zone and pay/registration requirements—these remain part of the daily regulation system.
“We want everyone to enjoy the spirit of the season and support our downtown businesses. By offering free parking along Main Street and maintaining the two-hour limit, we strike the right balance between convenience for visitors and continuing turnover so our Main Street remains vibrant and accessible,” said Mayor Verga. “I encourage all of our residents and guests to plan their visits, register their plate and time, and enjoy a holiday season filled with local culture, shopping, and community.”
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Ever wonder how Gloucester’s public library came to be? The Sawyer Free Library invites the community to a special evening celebrating nearly two centuries of local history, innovation, and civic spirit. On Thursday, November 20 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, the Library will present a film screening and panel discussion of Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library in its Community Room.
Produced by Kory Curcuru of1623 Studios, Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library traces the remarkable story of Gloucester’s public library—from its 19th-century beginnings in the Gloucester Lyceum to its role today as a vibrant civic and cultural hub. The short documentary explores how a small-town vision grew into a cornerstone of learning, access, and community connection.
The film situates the Sawyer Free Library within the broader story of American public libraries—beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s 1731 subscription library, which sparked a movement for shared knowledge and free access to books. By the early 1800s, the “Lyceum movement” swept New England, bringing citizens together for lectures, debate, and education. Gloucester quickly joined in. In 1830, residents established the Gloucester Lyceum, which merged Franklin’s ideals with this new spirit of civic learning.
The Library’s evolution accelerated under the leadership and generosity of Samuel Elwell Sawyer, a Gloucester native and philanthropist who made access to books free for all. His lasting legacy includes the donation of the Saunders House, which remains part of the Library campus today, and the 1872 incorporation of the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library, with a charter promising it would remain free forever.
Timeline Cape Ann also highlights the Library’s continued resilience and innovation—surviving fires, embracing technology, and expanding services through the 20th and 21st centuries. From WPA murals and children’s programs to its newly completed, state-of-the-art renovation and expansion, the Sawyer Free Library remains a living institution shaped by generations of readers, learners, and citizens.
Following the screening, Curcuru will be joined by Sawyer Free Library Local History Librarian Julie Travers and local historian and author Wayne Soini for a panel discussion and audience Q&A exploring the Library’s enduring role in Gloucester’s civic life.
This free public event offers a fascinating look at how one man’s generosity and a community’s shared commitment helped shape the heart of Gloucester.
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Thursday, November 20, 2025 5:00–6:30 PM Sawyer Free Library, Community Room (Ground Floor), 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA
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New Beaches and Parks Operations Manager and Economic Development Coordinator will enhance the city’s open spaces and support local business growth.
GLOUCESTER – Mayor Greg Verga is pleased to announce the hiring of Kansas Ricci-Munn as the City’s Operations Manager for Beaches and Parks and Emily Sloane as the City’s Economic Development Coordinator.
“Emily and Kansas bring a wide range of knowledge and experience to the team, and I’m confident they’ll make a real difference in their new roles,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “Our open spaces and local businesses are among the most important parts of our community, and these two new positions will play a key role in advancing the initiatives that strengthen and support them.”
Ricci-Munn, a Gloucester resident, has been a valued member of the City’s lifeguard team for nearly two decades, bringing experience and creativity to the role. He has worked as Lifeguard Coordinator for the City of Gloucester since 2022 and has been instrumental in the development of the program and team. Through his leadership of the lifeguard program, he has prioritized training, staff engagement, and communication.
“It brings me great joy to serve the City of Gloucester,” said Ricci-Munn. “ We have a special community and I’m proud to be part of it”
As the City’s new Operations Manager for Beaches and Parks, Ricci-Munn will be responsible for the care and oversight of some of Gloucester’s most well-used public spaces. From maintaining the safety and accessibility of our shorelines to supporting the upkeep of our parks, including Stage Fort Park, he will help ensure these areas remain welcoming and enjoyable for residents and visitors. He will play a key role in the implementation of Gloucester’s Beach Management Plan — ensuring our beaches are safe, well-maintained, and welcoming for all residents and visitors.
Sloane, a native of Gloucester, brings over 20 years of experience driving economic growth, strengthening the workforce, and empowering communities. Most recently she supported studies intended to promote global food security as Markets Advisor at Tetra Tech, following nearly a decade of experience in international economic development and humanitarian program management work — specifically within the nonprofit or international NGO (INGO) sector. As Economic Development Coordinator, she will play a key role supporting Gloucester’s economic growth and long-term community goals. She will focus on implementing many of the City’s recently completed strategic plans, including the Municipal Harbor Plan, Local Rapid Recovery Plan, and Comprehensive Plan, while advancing the creation of a Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).
“After two decades of working on economic development projects worldwide, I am truly excited to be focusing on my home community. Gloucester has so many smart, engaged residents, and I look forward to partnering with them to build a stronger economic future for us all,” said Sloane.
In this role, Sloane will also work to support Gloucester’s existing maritime industry while helping to guide opportunities in the emerging blue economy, ensuring that Gloucester continues to honor its working waterfront heritage while preparing for a sustainable economic future.
Sloane and Ricci-Munn officially started with the City of Gloucester on October 6, 2025.
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Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community with Ethan Kent
The Sawyer Free Library will officially relaunch the Gloucester Lyceum with a special event, Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community, featuring internationally renowned placemaking leader Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX.
The program will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. Free and open to the public, registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited.
The program will begin with remarks by Mr. Kent, followed by interactive conversations with fellow attendees throughout the various spaces of the newly renovated, expanded, and modernized Sawyer Free Library. The perspectives shared in these dialogues will inspire closing insights from Mr. Kent, allowing participants to reflect on how Gloucester can continue to build meaningful, inclusive spaces—starting with its newly reimagined Library.
“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” said Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live, the places we love.”
The Gloucester Lyceum: A Tradition Renewed
Founded in 1830, the Gloucester Lyceum once brought thought leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to Cape Ann. Today, the Sawyer Free Library’s relaunch builds on this proud tradition, offering marquee programs that bring contemporary voices into dialogue with the community.
“The relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum is about renewing a proud tradition of bringing people together for public discourse within a collaborative forum. True to the notion that a lyceum is “where the city comes to think,” we are honored to welcome Ethan Kent as our first speaker in this new chapter. His work around the world embodies the very spirit of community dialogue and imagination that we hope to cultivate right here in Gloucester,” said Laura Ventimiglia, Chair of the Gloucester Lyceum.
“Welcoming Ethan Kent to Gloucester to help relaunch our historic Lyceum is both timely and inspiring,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Board of Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library. “Our newly reimagined Library is the hub of the community—offering so much to so many. Ethan’s work demonstrates how meaningful public spaces can bring people together, foster belonging, and strengthen communities.”
About the Sawyer Free Library
For nearly 200 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester as a hub of culture, learning, and civic life. Its newly renovated and expanded building continues this mission, providing equal access to resources and programs that support the community’s evolving needs.
For more information and to register for this special evening, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited, so register today!
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Celebrations to Kick Off with Public Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, September 5
After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue. To celebrate this major milestone, the Library will host a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 5, followed by a Community Open House on Saturday, September 6.
All are warmly invited to attend and explore the newly revitalized space.
This once-in-a-generation transformation marks a bold new chapter in the Library’s nearly 200-year legacy as a pillar of civic and cultural life in Gloucester. The result is a vibrant and inclusive public space designed to support 21st-century learning, creativity, and community connection.
“The new Sawyer Free Library reflects the spirit of our city: rooted in tradition, driven by creativity, and focused on building an inclusive, dynamic future”, said Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
“This represents one of the most significant civic investments in Gloucester in a generation,” said Gloucester MayorGreg Verga. “It reflects what’s possible when we invest in public spaces that serve everyone.”
“We are incredibly proud to welcome everyone back into a new Sawyer Free Library that is reimagined, renewed and ready to inspire,” added Library DirectorJenny Benedict. “This Library will serve our community as a launchpad for lifelong learning, innovation, and connection for decades to come.”
A Space Revitalized for All
Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture and Dore + Whittier Architects and built by W.T. Rich Company, the $28million construction project seamlessly blends the original 1913 structure and 1976 addition with a striking new 14,000-square-foot expansion. The project was guided by extensive community input and completed on time and within budget.
The transformed Library offers an expansive array of amenities and technologies to serve Gloucester’s evolving needs:
A light-filled Children’s Room and Early Learning Center
A vibrant Teen Room featuring a STEAM-focused Creation Space, gaming consoles, and study nooks.
A state-of-the-art Digital Learning Lab and Podcast Studios with media creation tools, digitization equipment, and soundproof recording rooms
A 100-seat Community Room with adjacent public-use kitchen
New study rooms, conference spaces, and quiet reading lounges
A dedicated Local History Research Center with an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, a robust digital archive, and an interactive 85” Gloucester History Timeline, alongside the preserved writing desk of historian Joseph Garland
In addition, visitors can enjoy a refreshed Matz Gallery for local art exhibitions and the soaring three-story Cape Ann Quarries mural by artist Leslie Bartlett. Outdoors, the grounds feature expanded outdoor gathering spaces, including the Fountain Plaza, covered Dale Avenue Porch and the Library Greenway with raised garden beds, as well as EV charging stations and bike/e-bike parking.
With over 66,000 items—including books, media, digital devices and book club kits—sections of the Library’s collection have grown alongside its physical footprint. New conveniences like after-hours pickup lockers extend access for all.
Built for the Future
The Library sets a new standard for sustainable public building design in the region. Built to Net Zero Ready standards and LEED Gold certification, the building features an all-electric HVAC system, smart energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient landscaping—demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.
“The long and challenging journey to restore, expand, and revitalize one of Cape Ann’s greatest public resources has reached a successful ending through the tireless work of dedicated trustees, donors, and a community that cherishes the tradition of a free public library,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Now, its doors will open wide again to allow us all to begin our own countless journeys in the future, made possible by the resources and the inspiration inside its incredible new spaces.”
“As the daughter of a school librarian, I’ve always understood the power of libraries to open doors and bring communities together. The reopening of the Sawyer Free Library reflects Gloucester’s deep commitment to knowledge, creativity, and civic life,” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “The facilities in the expanded library will serve every generation — supporting early literacy, digital access, lifelong learning, and community gathering in one space. Thank you to the many partners who helped make this transformative project a reality.”
A Community Effort, A Shared Legacy
The $28 million construction transformation was made possible through generous public and private support, including over $10 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $6 million from individual donors, $1.85 million from corporate donors, and $200,000 in local government and community partner grants. In addition, the Library Corporation contributed $2 million to the project during the design phase from trust funds. The capital project has reached completion on time and within budget.
To date, 65% of the Library’s capital campaign goal has been raised. Fundraising continues to fully cover construction costs and support the Library’s long-term vision. To contribute, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For nearly two centuries, the Sawyer Free Library has served as a trusted source of knowledge, creativity, and connection. The 2025 Library honors that legacy while boldly embracing the future—with a mission grounded in inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong learning.
“This is Gloucester’s library,” said Sibley. “And it belongs to everyone.”
To celebrate this milestone, the Library will host two public events:
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Friday, September 5, from 3:00–4:30 PM Featuring remarks, guided tours, a Cape Ann Youth Chorus performance, and light refreshments. Free and open to all. Rain or Shine.
Community Celebration & Open House Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM A day of family-friendly activities and opportunities to explore the transformed space.
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Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department responded early Monday morning to a head-on crash on Route 128 that injured five people.
On Monday, June 30, at approximately 1:45 a.m., the Gloucester Fire and Police Departments, as well as Massachusetts State Police, were called to the Route 128 Bridge over the Annisquam River for a report of a head-on collision with one vehicle having rolled over.
Rescuers arrived to discover a two-vehicle crash on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge, with one of the vehicles on its roof. Two people in the vehicles were trapped and had to be extricated by Gloucester Firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools.
One of the trapped occupants, an 18-year-old man, was taken to a nearby landing zone, and flown to a Boston hospital by medical helicopter in critical condition.
Three other individuals in the vehicles, two 19-year-old women and a male in his 80s, were taken to Beverly Hospital by Gloucester Fire Department and Beauport ambulances. A fifth individual, an 18-year-old man, was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital by a private vehicle.
One of the 19-year-old woman was later transferred to Tufts New England Medical Center, where she is listed in critical condition. The other 19-year-old woman was treated and released from Beverly Hospital. The man in his 80s was later transferred to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, where he is in critical condition. The condition of the 18-year-old man who went to the hospital in a private vehicle was not immediately available.
“Last night’s serious crash on the Route 128 bridge has deeply affected our community. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with their families, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “This hits especially close to home, as several of those involved are not only from Gloucester, but are young members of our community. We are a city that cares deeply — we’re all holding those impacted in our hearts right now.”
Since the crash occurred on the highway, it is under investigation by Massachusetts State Police. Additional inquiries about the crash and investigation should be directed to the State Police.
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Join Royal Navy sailors and the crews of the tall ships Story, Ardelle, Isabelle, and Lynx, as they discuss the role of the navy in the Battle of Bunker Hill as well as 18th century warfare.
As the battle looms, the waters around Charlestown neck fill with Royal Navy vessels, sent to bombard the fortifications into submission and land troops for the eventual assault.
Shuttle Service 10am – 6pm
Shuttle Service will ferry spectators to/from parking lots to the event site.
Civilians Under Siege & the Military on the Move The Marketplace 10am – 4pm
Interpreters will explain civilian and military life in Massachusetts in the 1770s. Through a diversity of perspectives across race, gender, class, and politics, you will learn about the dynamic lives of 18th century Bostonians, British military officers, and Provincial leaders.
The citizens of Boston were able to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill from the rooftops and hills of the City. They had been under British occupation since the enforcement of the Boston Port Act a year earlier had shut down nearly all commerce to the town causing many to leave.
The Preparation: The Redoubt 9 – 10am
Join the soldiers as they construct the fortifications with hand tools from the period. Learn about the backgrounds and motivations of these Americans.
In the evening hours of June 16th, 1,200 American soldiers leave their camp at Cambridge to cross the neck onto the Charlestown peninsula. These hardened men from the country took on the work of fortifying Bunker Hill. As dawn broke, British cannons from ships and Cobb’s Hill (Boston) open fire to try to halt the work.
The Landing Half Moon Beach 10 – 11am
Watch as British sailors and soldiers from Boston land in the harbor in 18th century boats on the Charlestown Penisula (Half-Moon Beach) forming for their assault on the American positions.
General Gage forms British soldiers from the Boston garrison to land on the tip of the Charlestown Peninsula and form for a plan to drive the American’s from their fortifications on the Hill. As the British soldiers land, sharpshooters from Charlestown take pot shots at them. In response British soldiers set fire to Charlestown to drive off the sharpshooters, additionally using the smoke to mask their movements.
Witness the burial of the Battle’s first major casualty and the arrival of the Provincial Forces’ key combatants.
Asa Pollard was the first American casualty at Bunker Hill, decapitated by a British cannonball. He was hastily buried on the battlefield so the gruesome sight would not weaken the morale of his fellow troops.
Col. James Frye of Andover, MA, commanded a regiment from Essex County that played a critical role constructing the redoubt atop Breed’s Hill. The men defended the hill bravely and helped save the retreat from turning into a rout.
Meet Martha Washington The Gazebo 11 – 11:30am
Meet America’s first First Lady before she became a household name and American hero.
Meet Joseph Warren The Gazebo 12 – 12:30 am
Meet one of Boston’s most prominent figures and the face of revolution.
Stark Fortifies the Beach Tablet Rock 12:30 – 1:00pm
View Stark’s men set defenses that will change the tides of the battle.
As the day wore on, the ebbing tide gave the British an advantage by exposing more beachhead at the end of the American line of defense. Cols. John Stark and James Reed of New Hampshire saw this vulnerable gap and constructed a crude barricade to save the Americans from being outflanked.
The Flanking Attack Cressy Beach 1 – 2 pm
Watch as Britain’s elite soldiers assault American flank positions (Cressy Beach).
While the British Marines make a frontal assault on the redoubt as a feint, the elite soldiers of Gage’s force (Grenadiers and Light Infantry) attempt to flank the American fortifications by attacking down a beach on the Mystic River. These soldiers charge down the beach opposed by New Hampshire soldiers under Stark at a rail fence. The New Hampshire soldiers give an incessant fire which shatters the attack and drives back the Grenadiers and Light Infantry.
Meet Abigail Adams The Gazebo 1 – 1:30 pm
Hear of Abigail Adam’s experience witnessing the Battle of Bunker Hill from her home as well as her experiences in 1775 Massachusetts.
Meet General Clinton The Gazebo 1 – 1:30 pm
Meet one of the British command’s sharpest leaders, whose proposed plans could have lead to a quick victory–but who instead had to come in an reinforce the final assault.
Meet Elizabeth Murray The Gazebo 1 – 1:30 pm
Hear from Boston’s leading businesswoman about life under siege, and how the splintering of civic life affects more than just sales.
The Main Assault Bunker Hill 4 – 5 pm
Watch as American militia soldiers defend their fortifications against the attacking British soldiers.
With the flanking attack on the beach broken, General Howe rallies the Marines along with the remaining Grenadiers and Light Infantry to make a head-on assault at the amin redoubt and rail fence of the American line. They are slowed in their advance by the numerous farmers’ fences, taking heavy casualties and fall back. Major John Pitcairn of the Marines is fatally wounded by Salem Poor. Howe has his men drop their packs and advances in column to negate American artillery fire. The advance in a final assault. The Americans, having run out of powder, begin throwing rocks in a desperate attempt to slow the British. Out of powder and overwhelmed the Americans flee the hill. General Joseph Warren of the American forces is killed in this final assault.
Camp Closes & Shuttle Service Ends Stage Fort Park 5 – 6 pm
Thank you all for joining us! Camps will be closed to visitors at 5pm and shuttle service will end for the day at 6pm.
Sunday, June 22
The Navy Approaches: Half Moon Beach 8 – 11:30 am
Join Royal Navy sailors and the crews of the tall ships Story, Ardelle, Isabelle, and Lynx, as they discuss the role of the navy in the Battle of Bunker Hill as well as 18th century warfare.
As the battle looms, the waters around Charlestown neck are filled with Royal Navy vessels, sent to bombard the fortifications into submission and land troops for the eventual assault.
Shuttle Service 10am – 4pm
Shuttle Service will ferry spectators to/from parking lots to the event site.
Civilians Under Siege & the Military on the Move The Marketplace 10am – 2pm
Interpreters will explain civilian and military life in Massachusetts in the 1770s. Through a diversity of perspectives across race, gender, class, and politics, you will learn about the dynamic lives of 18th century Bostonians, British military officers, and Provincial leaders.
The citizens of Boston were able to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill from the rooftops and hills of the City. They had been under British occupation since the enforcement of the Boston Port Act a year earlier had shut down nearly all commerce to the town causing many to leave.
The Preparation: The Redoubt 9 – 10am
Join the soldiers as they construct the fortifications with hand tools from the period. Learn about the backgrounds and motivations of these Americans.
In the evening hours of June 16th, 1,200 American soldiers leave their camp at Cambridge to cross the neck onto the Charlestown peninsula. These hardened men from the country took on the work of fortifying Bunker Hill. As dawn broke, British cannons from ships and Cobb’s Hill (Boston) open fire to try to halt the work.
The Landing Half Moon Beach 10 – 11am
Watch as British sailors and soldiers from Boston land in the harbor in 18th century boats on the Charlestown Penisula (Half-Moon Beach) forming for their assault on the American positions.
General Gage forms British soldiers from the Boston garrison to land on the tip of the Charlestown Peninsula and form for a plan to drive the American’s from their fortifications on the Hill. As the British soldiers land, sharpshooters from Charlestown take pot shots at them. In response British soldiers set fire to Charlestown to drive off the sharpshooters, additionally using the smoke to mask their movements.
Witness the burial of the Battle’s first major casualty and the arrival of the Provincial Forces’ key combatants.
Asa Pollard was the first American casualty at Bunker Hill, decapitated by a British cannonball. He was hastily buried on the battlefield so the gruesome sight would not weaken the morale of his fellow troops.
Col. James Frye of Andover, MA, commanded a regiment from Essex County that played a critical role constructing the redoubt atop Breed’s Hill. The men defended the hill bravely and helped save the retreat from turning into a rout.
Meet General Howe The Gazebo 11 – 11:30am
Meet the British general in charge of the assault on Charlestown–and hear what went into the plan that went so awry.
Stark Fortifies the Beach Tablet Rock 12:00 – 12:30pm
View Stark’s men set defenses that will change the tides of the battle.
As the day wore on, the ebbing tide gave the British an advantage by exposing more beachhead at the end of the American line of defense. Cols. John Stark and James Reed of New Hampshire saw this vulnerable gap and constructed a crude barricade to save the Americans from being outflanked.
Meet Joseph Warren The Gazebo 12:00 – 12:30pm
Meet one of Boston’s most prominent figures and the face of revolution.
The Main Assault Bunker Hill 1 – 2 pm
Watch as American militia soldiers defend their fortifications against the attacking British soldiers.
With the flanking attack on the beach broken, General Howe rallies the Marines along with the remaining Grenadiers and Light Infantry to make a head-on assault at the amin redoubt and rail fence of the American line. They are slowed in their advance by the numerous farmers’ fences, taking heavy casualties and fall back. Major John Pitcairn of the Marines is fatally wounded by Salem Poor. Howe has his men drop their packs and advances in column to negate American artillery fire. The advance in a final assault. The Americans, having run out of powder, begin throwing rocks in a desperate attempt to slow the British. Out of powder and overwhelmed the Americans flee the hill. General Joseph Warren of the American forces is killed in this final assault.
Camp Closes & Shuttle Service Ends Stage Fort Park 3 – 4 pm
Thank you all for joining us! Camps will be closed to visitors at 3pm and shuttle service will end for the day at 4pm.
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Longtime Gloucester residents Kurt and Rick Hosman are proud to announce the opening of Wave Kitchen at DRIFT, an exciting new addition to the local dining scene. Located at 3 Main Street, DRIFT first opened its doors in 2018, quickly becoming a community favorite. Now, Wave Kitchen offers a fresh new dining experience, blending bold Asian-inspired flavors with tropical and South American influences while maintaining a strong connection to Gloucester’s unique character.
“Our goal has always been to create spaces that celebrate this community we love,” says Kurt Hosman. “With Wave Kitchen, we’re continuing that mission by offering a dining experience that’s both creative and approachable, reflecting the diversity and energy of Gloucester.”
Wave Kitchen features a menu crafted to surprise and delight, bringing global inspiration to familiar ingredients while highlighting the flavors that make Gloucester special.
Reservations can be booked on RESY or at www.driftgloucester.com. Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for DRIFT and the Gloucester community.
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I have included a flyer for our 2nd Annual Operation Keep Gloucester Warm Coat Distribution Event which will be bigger and better than last year. We have hundreds of coats to share with the community and we would appreciate it if you could help spread the work to your readership. New to the event this year will be The Open Door’s Mobile Food Market. They will be in the parking lot at Trinity Church and will have food items to share as well. The event is this Saturday from 10:30am – 2:30pm at Trinity Church on Middle Street. Coats will be available while supplies last. We are grateful to all of the community members who shared gently used coats with us and to all of the agencies who partnered with us to make this event such a success.
Thank you!
Kristin Michel
Together Gloucester, Inc.
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The Gloucester Historical Commission is pleased to announce that our annual Preservation Awards ceremony will be held on May 18, 2025, at City Hall. This annual community event recognizes residents of Gloucester for a range of historic preservation projects from a book, to a lecture, to historic preservation of a building. We welcome your attendance – and need your suggestions for nominees before the end of December.
Awards are given to those individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the preservation and protection of Gloucester’s historical heritage. If you know of a potential candidate that you feel would qualify for a Preservation Award, please submit their name, project description and contact (email or phone) to the Historical Commission in December by email at: GHC1623@gmail.com. Award criteria and categories are:
Criteria – some or all of the following: – Historically significant in age, style, or use – Restored using traditional materials or methods – Preserves historical integrity or appearance – Protects from present threat or future harm – Completed within the past two years – Completed by an individual, family, group, or community effort
Categories: – Archaeology – Adaptive reuse – Education and outreach – Landscape preservation – Restoration and rehabilitation – Local preservationist – Documentation of Gloucester’s history – Individual lifetime achievement
The Commission will be voting on awardees at our December 30th meeting. We look forward to nominations from the community, thank you!
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Art and culture have been laced throughout Gloucester’s history. City staff, departments, partner organizations, artists, and volunteers have kept detailed inventory checklists and care of a world class municipal art collection decade by decade for more than a century. Several lists were managed by American art luminaries. Here is a City Hall example from 1937, “A Catalogue of Murals and Decorations in Gloucester Done by Gloucester Artists in the Employ of the Federal Art Project”.
The 250th anniversary formed a committee for the arts. Mayor Alper reinvigorated the City Hall collection display in 1977, “Gloucester Arts & Humanities”. The Waywell inventory dates from the 1990s. When the City updated all its ordinances in 2000, the Committee for the Arts was formally added. In 2005 then CFTA Chair Kate Bodin and former CFTA member John Ronan drafted a prescient and comprehensive art policy celebrating all forms of creative expression. Since 2000, 6 inventory lists have been compiled—by volunteers and/or commissioned.
A major inventory checklist and report completed in 2006 was a dual project orchestrated by the City Archives (link here) andCommittee for the Arts that focused on City Hall. Although the report did not include artwork measurements and was a work in progress, it was another decade’s invaluable record to build upon.
The Art of Gloucester City Hall, 2006. See printable PDF of inventory below (some attribution errors). A written evaluation was included which I’ll add in.
Bethany Jay (principal writing and research)
Information on Gloucester City Hall compiled by Sarah Dunlop, Jane Walsh, and Stephanie Buck of the Gloucester Archives office. Supplemental materials were written by John Ronan. Mayor John Bell.
Gloucester Committee for the Arts- John Ronan, Judith Hoglander, Dale Brown, Christine Lundberg, Steve Myers, Sage Walcott
Committee for the Arts member, Eric Schoonover, took on the task of the first database and digitized record–CDs, later joined by Marcia Hart, with ladder in tow to double check the inventory status and measurements which was not on the 2006 report. Several excels and docs followed and were shared widely. Under successive administrations led by Mayor Kirk and Mayor Romeo Theken, an open access inventory and available online gallery was an expressed goal for multiple city and partner grants, the city’s tourism efforts (a precursor to Discover Gloucester), the City’s two cultural districts, HarborWalk, Gloucester Arts & Cultural Initiative, public arts projects, free apps and platforms.
In 2018-19, Williamstown Art Conservation completed a conservation and full inventory report for the City mural collection, triage and stabilizing–for the first time including works not on display. (author note: I will add the PDF here)
Flash forward to 2024, the Gloucester art collection archives is available anew in an online art gallery through Art Work Archive (www.artworkarchive.com). Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. Some of the artwork information is incomplete or a placeholder. I’m sure cross-checking with the original documentation will continue and help with corrections, and more works will be added.
For example, the monumental murals by Lawrence “Larry” O’Toole (1909-1951) installed in 1982 in O’Maley Middle School are listed “Untitled” in the archive pages. They’re not untitled. They were originally commissioned by Ben Pine for the Gloucester Fisheries Institute and YMCA circa 1940-48 and illustrate fishing industry and vessels common in Gloucester. I interviewed Ron Gilson who confirmed the history and my research. DPW inspected and measured them almost 10 years ago and Williamstown Art Conservation Center, of course, when they did their evaluation. Titles are:
Larry O’Toole, Returning to Harbor, Twin Lighthouses
Larry O’Toole, Tuna Fishing with Spears
Larry O’Toole, Schooner with Rod Fishing
Larry O’Toole, Seine Fishing with Seagulls Overhead
Larry O’Toole, Trawling
Puzzlingly, the Mulhaupt series across from the O’toole’s are on display out of order at O’Maley and could have fit sequentially if the two series were switched at installation in 1982.
In 2021, the Wall Street Journal featured an article about WPA era art and online catalogue resources. Gloucester’s are largely absent, for many reasons. I shared the article news here (3/25/2021) and wrote:
Judith Dobrzynski highlights WPA murals and a renewed online resource* for “Arts in Review” the Wall Street Journal.
“During the Great Depression, federal programs funded the creation of thousands of murals in post offices, hospitals and other locations across the country, many of which can now be viewed online.”Judith H. Dobrzynski. The Staying Inside Guide: Big-Deal Art in Plain-Spoken Venues. Wall Street Journal. March 23, 2021. *A few of the WPA murals completed in Gloucester had been included in an earlier iteration of the website, in some cases misattributed. Gloucester is not mentioned in the article.
The reviewer highlights Coit Tower in San Francisco as one renowned example.
“The New Deal murals inside Coit Tower in San Francisco are also well-known. Painted by some two-dozen artists in 1934, they are social realist panels about life in California during the Depression, with titles like “Banking and Law” and “Meat Industry.” Their story, with a detailed layout, is available in a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department brochure.”Judith H. Dobrzynski for WSJ
The reverse ratio is evident here: Gloucester selected four artists who completed scores of masterworks* for specific public buildings. Monumental stunning mural cycles were commissioned under the auspices of Federal Arts PWAP and WPA-era programs from 1935-42 for Sawyer Free Library, City Hall, the High School on Dale Ave (now Central Grammar apartments), Hovey, Maplewood, and Forbes elementary schools. As schools were closed, disposed, or repurposed, murals were rescued and re-sited within City Hall and later O’Maley.
The City of Gloucester artists were significant muralists and painters. In truth, venerated. They captured stories of Gloucester and became a celebrated part of our history and artistry. When considered as a whole, the Gloucester murals rival WPA era collections completed in big cities. The density of murals are as concentrated as any found in larger cities, like Coit Tower in San Francisco, though spread out among buildings rather than one tower, or one structure, as with Harlem Hospital.
Gloucester’s post office nearly landed a commission, but fate intervened. I’ll save that for the Part 2 post.
Gloucester and greater Cape Ann artists were commissioned for murals beyond Gloucester and Massachusetts and served key roles on selection panels and planning.
Gloucester is not mentioned in this WSJ article or few major compilations.
“Though painted by nationally known and successful artists at the top of their game, the works have suffered from a perfect storm of anonymity.” Catherine Ryan, 2012
City Owned Art Work Archive online gallery
What is new about this 2024 city owned inventory online gallery is that 1) a wonderful creative director, Anna Chirico, was hired to photograph and inventory the collection. Fun fact, Chirico of course has helped her mom, JoAnn, with goodlinens studio on Main Street in Gloucester (goodlinenstudio.com), and 2) Kate Shamon Rushford, Gloucester’s arts, culture, and events coordinator was hired for a part time position within Community Development dedicated to projects like this one. Shamon Rushford is pursuing a Gloucester presence online through Bloomberg Connects Arts and Culture online, too.
I recommend that the city’s .gov website maintain exclusive pages as well, because what’s new and trending in arts engagement is not static or exclusive.
Gloucester DPW has utilized 3D photography for jobs (City Hall after the fire), and city departments including Community Development/Engineering make use of arcgis subscriptions. These resources on the .gov site would help with virtual tours and printables. It’s important to keep city ownership of the content. Gloucesterma.gov went to Discover Gloucester. As long as the content is retrievable, dedicated pages can be available on the .gov site itself regardless of technological or fad obsolescence.
Join us at the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, October 10, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for an engaging presentation on Boston Light, America’s first established light station, which has been guiding ships since 1716. Located on Little Brewster Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor, Boston Light remains an active Coast Guard-maintained aid to navigation. However, its distinction as the “last manned Coast Guard light station” in the country is coming to an end with the upcoming retirement of its 70th keeper, Sally Snowman.
The event will feature a PowerPoint presentation showcasing photos from Boston Light’s remarkable 307-year history, along with personal anecdotes from Sally’s tenure as a 21st-century keeper. Sally Snowman, Ph.D., an educator, author, and the official USCG historian for Boston Light, has co-authored two books with her husband, Jay Thomson: Boston Light: A Historical Perspective (1999) and Boston Light: Arcadia Images of America (2016). Sally is also the author of the children’s book Sammy the Boston Lighthouse Dog (2005).
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Boston Light’s rich history and hear firsthand accounts from its last keeper before this chapter in maritime history closes.
The event will take place at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street, Downtown Gloucester. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
TUESDAY, JULY 23 AT 2:00 PM (rain or shine) Corner of East Main Street and Rocky Neck Avenue
Join Mayor Verga and the Department of Public Works for the unveiling of the newly restored Samuel de Champlain historical roadside marker on Rocky Neck, which had rusted and disintegrated almost beyond repair. Spearheaded by Rocky Neck resident, Susan Morreale, this 7-year project is finally ready for prime time!
Susan, a member of the Historical Commission, worked with DPW, who funded the project, and the restoration firm, Skylight Studios in Woburn, to bring this 200-pound, double-sided, cast iron marker back to life.
A total of 275 markers were made and erected along Massachusetts’s roadways to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1930. Each marker tells a concise, significant story about the history of Massachusetts in just a few short, inscribed lines, identical on both sides, so they could be read from either direction by passing cars.
They commemorate “places which played a leading part in the history of the colony,” according to the official catalog issued at the time by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission. Beyond value in noting historical moments, the markers are a kind of history themselves — a standing museum of how the state saw its past in the 1930s.
Gloucester has four such markers, the others are in Annisquam and two at Stage Fort Park. As of 2011, of the original inventory, there were only 146 markers still standing in the state. Of the original 83 markers in Essex County, only 43 remain.1630 – 1930 SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
IN SEPTEMBER, 1606, SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN LANDED AT ROCKY NECK IN WHAT IS NOW GLOUCESTER HARBOR, TO CAULK HIS SHALLOP, AND MADE AN ACCURATE CHART OF THE HARBOR WHICH HE CALLED LE BEAUPORT.
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Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.
In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.
The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.
For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.
The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to share that the Gloucester Genealogy Group is back in action and kicking off its monthly meetings this January at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester.
Researching your genealogy can provide information about where your ancestors lived, what they did, and how they may have lived. The Sawyer Free Library holds a vast and diverse collection of resources to help you with your research. In addition, each month, the Library’s Gloucester Genealogy Group will present genealogy-related programming, including lectures from guest speakers with expertise in numerous related topics. All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
On Saturday, January 27 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. nationally recognized professional genealogist, author and lecturer, Senior Genealogist Rhonda McClure will present virtually to the group at 21 Main Street on “Getting Started in Italian Research.” This lecture looks at how to start researching your Italian ancestors by examining records generated in the U.S. and Italy and what is most important in effectively researching Italian records.
Then on Saturday, February 17, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Rhonda McClure will again join the group virtually to share about the importance and details of “Organizing Your Family Papers.” The March meeting will be presented in partnership with the Rockport Public Library. On March 9 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., the Libraries will welcome Michael Brophy, a nationally known, professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer from the Boston area. This event will occur in the Brenner Room of the Rockport Public Library.
Registration is now open for all three Gloucester Genealogy events at sawyerfreelibrary.org or by calling 978-325-5500.
Currently the Sawyer Free Library offers a wide variety of local history resources, in person and online, at its temporary location at 21 Main Street. The Library’s Local History Collection contains materials about Gloucester and Cape Ann and written by and about Gloucester and Cape Ann authors. Subjects include local history, genealogy, biography, and some fiction. Materials are in the form of books, hand-printed items, maps, city documents, and more.
The Sawyer Free Library is looking forward to officially opening its renovated, expanded, and modernized space in the fall of 2025 which will feature a Local History Research Center. This new center will revolutionize how Gloucester’s historical research materials are curated, archived, preserved, and accessed, offering an insider’s passport to the rich cultural history of the city and region.
For more information about Sawyer Free Library’s digital archives, local history resources, and services or to register for the Gloucester Genealogy Events, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500
To learn more about or to invest in the 2025 Sawyer Free Library’s History Research Center, please visit sawyerfree2025.org.
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Come see FRESH new works by Essex Art Collective: women artists who collaborate in artistic endeavors and inspire each other to create paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculpture, fiber arts, mixed media works and photography. Group Members Alison Taylor, Jen Grober, Jen Romans, Kristen Wilson, Mallie Pratt, Margaret Sweet, Melissa Glorieux, Naomi Chapman, Rosie Winthrop and Wrenn Bartlett invite you to see the show!
CAPE ANN READS EXHIBIT
Reception: Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 10am – 12pm
TONIGHT! Fun Friday featuring James McKenna/Juni Van Dyke books 4pm
Fun Fridays Featuring Reading/Activity with Award-Winning Authors & Artists– meet local artists and writers and enjoy free stories and visual arts events perfect for children to create artwork side by side with an older family member – either a parent, grandparent or a siblingMay 10th, May 17th, 31st and June 7th at 4pm
Exhibit on View until June 21, 2019
Essex Town Hall, 3rd Floor, 30 Martin Street (an accessible facility)
Once Upon a Contest showcases award-winning children’s books by Cape Ann artists and writers. Congratulations to Essex resident and author, Diane Polley awarded Cape Ann Reads Honor Book for Lets Go! Animal Tracks in the Snow, with illustrations by Marion Hall. Congratulations to Essex resident and author, James MacKenna awarded Cape Ann Reads Gulliver Award for If I Were a Moose and If I were a Lion with illustrations by Juni VanDyke. And congratulations to Essex native and artist, Alexia Parker, for illustrating Cape Ann Reads Gulliver Award books for two authors, Pumpkin Carving and Bike’s Big Adventure. Parker is the Invitational Public Artist for the Essex show. Her series celebrates iconic Essex buildings and places in collage using solely paper and glue. Come meet some of these local authors and illustrators! Light refreshments by the Friends of the T.O.H.P. Burnham Public Library will be served.
Side by side Once upon a Contest at TOHP Burnham in Essex:
Fantastic Essex Bicentennial display – don’t miss it!
Sign up to receive notices from Visit Essex, MA – May is Blooming with Events to Enjoy info@visitessexma.com
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“…I think a history of Christianity, which is a kind of story, serves us better if it has all the loose ends, the complexities, the multiple voices, the difficulties, the things that don’t add up, the roads not taken—all of that,” she says. “We need complexity for the complexity of our lives.”
“Karen’s book really shifted the discussion,” says Princeton religion scholar Elaine Pagels, Ph.D. ’70, LL.D. ’13, whose 1979 bestseller The Gnostic Gospels dislodged the idea of early Christianity as a unified movement and launched the conversation that What Is Gnosticism? later took up. “Karen’s book showed how those terms”—Gnosticism, heresy, orthodoxy—“were coined, how those concepts were shaped, and how late they came into scholarly discourse,” says Pagels. “It’s like clearing away the brush, so that people could look at these texts with a much more open mind.”
“As an undergraduate at the University of Montana in the early 1970s, King took a religious studies course from John Turner, one of the scholars working to edit and translate the Nag Hammadi texts. In class, she and other students read unpublished drafts of English translations that the wider public wouldn’t see for several years. It was electrifying. King had never imagined that there were early Christian writings beyond the Bible. “Why these texts and not those?” she wondered. And: “Who decided, and why?”
Good Morning Gloucester 