Getting the Inside Scoop on the House of the 7 Gables

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On Sunday, Sept. 20, a group of BSLUGs had the opportunity to tour The House of the Seven Gables in Salem and hear its history as told by the philanthropist, Caroline Osgood Emmerton (1866-1942). Given the supernatural theme in Nathanial Hawthorne's romantic novel, it was fitting that Ms. Emmerton's spirit spoke to us through our tour guide, Irene, who was decked out in a turn of the 20th century costume befitting the wealthy Salemite. Ms. Emmerton (a colleague of Isabella Stewart Gardner) was not only responsible for preserving the old Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, but also founded the The House of the Seven Gables Settlement House, modeled after Jane Adams's Hull House in Chicago, which provided invaluable social services to the many new immigrants in Salem.

After a delightful tour, complete with a hidden staircase and a gorgeous garden, the BSLUGs strolled along the waterfront. They then continued their lively conversation further down the road at the Pig's Eye restaurant.

Many thanks to Jill Blanchard who made all the arrangements, and to Johanna Umana, Andrew French, and Irene for making such a facinating and lovely day possible!

Special BSLUG House of the 7 Gables Tour, Sept. 20

A very special BSLUG event has been organized for you by fellow UCSC alums, Andrew French and Johanna Umana. Andrew and Johanna live in Salem, Mass. and work at the House of the Seven Gables*. They have set up a tour just for us on Sunday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m. sharp. The content of the tour will be new, developed by Andrew and one of the lecturers. You will learn about the history of the House and Nathanial Hawthorne. The tours on average run about 45 minutes long and include access to the seaside gardens. We’ll all be going out to lunch afterwards at the nearby friendly, neighborhood restaurant, “In a Pig’s Eye” – so, we hope you will join us!

Tickets for the tour will be $8.40. Each person will pay for their own lunch.

All kids and friends welcome!

WHERE: House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby Street, Salem, Mass.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. sharp

COST: $8.40 each

Carpooling: If you’d like to offer a ride or need one, please contact Beata

RSVP and send your check made out to "Erika Tarlin, Treasurer" to Beata by Sept. 13.


Beata Panagopoulos
28 Maple Ave., Apt. 3
Cambridge, MA 02139-1130
Email: beatapana@gmail.com
Tel. 617-491-3871

*The House of the Seven Gables is a waterside complex that includes the vintage-1668 house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s gloomy novel. The complex also contains the house in which Hawthorne himself was born and two more 17th century homes. Please be advised that because it is a 17th century historical home, it is not handicapped-accessible.

July 18th Cook-out and Smith Society Fundraiser in Nahant - A Wonderful Day!

Thanks to all of you who attended our Welcome to New England / Smith Society fundraiser on July 18 at Carter and Elizabeth's house in Nahant. What a great day it was - beautiful weather, delicious food prepared by Carter and Elizabeth, good friends and a relaxing, fun time. With your generous contributions to the Smith Society, we raised $820! Bill Dickinson (Cowell Pioneer Class and founder of the Smith Society) generously offered to match every dollar we raised for the Page and Eloise Smith Renaissance Society. Our donations are critical this year with the huge budget cuts the University currently faces. For more information visit the Smith Renaissance Society site. An enormous thank you goes to Carter and Elizabeth, who opened their home to us all and prepared an amazing cookout for 30 people.