PEABODY — If you think you have what it takes to be a woman sailing the high seas, then head over to Felton Street on March 8 and find out.
The first of several Peabody Historical Society & Museum lectures and presentations scheduled deep into the spring features historian and actress Anne Barrett reenacting life aboard a 19th century whaling ship.
Barrett will tell Mary Chipman Lawrence’s story of ocean-going daring-do, drawing from the seafaring woman’s journals to recount her experiences aboard the Addison as it sailed the ocean hunting the world’s biggest mammals.
The Sunday 2 p.m. lecture at the Felton-Smith Historic site, 38 Felton St., is just one example of how the museum seeks to link historic Peabody to its modern residents, said Museum Assistant Curator Nora Bigelow.
The museum owns eight local properties, including ones on Felton Street and the Osborne-Salata House at 33 Washington St.
Under Curator Kelly Daniell’s direction, Bigelow and other museum employees organize exhibits and presentations as well as events perhaps out of the ordinary for a museum. History Untapped — An Evening of Trivia at Granite Coast Brewing Co., 77 Main St., is a chance to enjoy a fun-filled evening of American history trivia and local brewing on March 15, 4-7 p.m.
“Grab your friends for a friendly competition, testing your knowledge of national and local history,” said Bigelow.
The museum turned the Osborne-Salata House into an exhibit on Peabody’s storied sports history last May with “Play Ball: the story of sports in Peabody.”
Daniell drew inspiration for organizing the exhibit from research items she happened upon in a closet. The exhibit’s opening night drew three generations of Peabody athletes, who swapped stories and proudly told tales of the big games to appreciative children and grandchildren.
With Patriots Day on the horizon, the museum is busy organizing exhibits zeroing in on Peabody’s contribution to the American revolution.
The Smith barn at the Felton-Smith Historic Site hosts “Danvers at Menotomy” on April 5 at 2 p.m. Local historian and Peabody Historical Society member Don Perry will focus on the pivotal call to arms on April 19, 1775 that brought Peabody and Danvers militia and other civilian fighters to Menotomy — present day Arlington — in response to the alarm sounded by Lexington and Concord fighters.
Bigelow said Perry excels in discussing lesser-known facts and events surrounding the North Shore’s response to the clashes that marked the Revolution’s beginning.
The museum will follow up Perry’s presentation with a Patriots Day ceremony on April 20, 11:30 a.m., at the Lexington Monument, corner of Washington and Sewall streets.
“There will be a ceremonial wreath laying and reenactment with Danvers Alarm List Company,” said Bigelow.
History is the museum’s main focus, but not its only focus.
The Smith barn and other historic Felton Street properties host 90 to 100 weddings annually, under the management of experienced events planner and coordinator Tammy Messina, between April and November.
Wedding receipts are the primary source of revenue for the museum with Friday and Sunday rentals and a city liquor license for the Barn. The building is heated and air conditioned.
The Barn’s double doors open onto a view of the sprawling fields adjacent to nearby Brooksby Farms with an ample lawn for games.
The Osborne-Salata House and General Gideon Foster House, 35 Washington St., are open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and the first and third Sunday of each month, noon-3 p.m., and by appointment.
Five other museum properties — the Ruth Hill library and archives, 31 Washington St.; the Sutton-Pierson House at the same address; the Nathaniel Felton Senior House, 47 Felton St.; the Nathaniel Felton Junior House, 43 Felton St., and the Peabody Historical Fire Museum, 38 Rear Felton St., are open by appointment.
