NAHANT — Community members gathered at the Costin Family Home on Nahant Road Friday evening to celebrate a historic milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Nahant Historical Society (NHS).
Attendees poured onto the residence overlooking Egg Rock to recognize how far the society has come, with a special appearance featuring the Smack Dabs, a local group of musicians.
Executive Director of NHS Julie Tarmy expressed her excitement for the occasion.
“It’s 50 years, and we started back in 1975,” Tarmy explained. “The woman who was spearheading that was Calantha Sears (who passed away last year at the age of 103), my idol. … In 2003, when we were celebrating the town’s anniversary, she asked me, ‘How would you like to be on our board?’ Nobody says no to Calantha.
“This whole year has been in her honor, so we had her cardboard standee, greeting everybody as they came inside,” Tarmy said. “History is so important, especially given today, where so much is being erased or ‘put back in a box’ as it were. … It’s important for us to keep history on the forefront.”
NHS member and volunteer Anne Cote also shared that sentiment.
“Calantha Sears began the Historical Society 50 years ago and made it the society it is today,” Cote said. “Which has been honored as one of the best in all of Massachusetts. We have such a rich history, so many people who were very famous came and lived here or visited here.”
NHS Volunteer Deborah Vanderslice expressed the importance of keeping history alive for generations to come.
“I think it’s wonderful that so many people in town believe in this organization, and are motivated and dedicated to preserving Nahant’s history for future generations,” Vanderslice said.
President of the NHS, Nancy Cantelmo, said she’s proud of what the group has become.
“I’m proud of the 50 years that they have spent preserving the history and culture of Nahant,” Cantelmo said.
State Senator Brendan Crighton said the NHS plays “such an important role” highlighting the history and culture of the town, adding that the community is “blessed to have such a rich history.”
State Rep. Sean Reid expressed his gratitude for the Costin family opening up their home to the community.
“Preserving and telling history is more important than ever, and we’re so proud of the great work that this organization has been doing for so many years,” Reid said. “We’re looking forward to what they continue to do for decades to come.”
Tom Costin Jr. explained that the NHS began at the Whitney Homestead house when the decision was made that the town needed a Historical Society.
“It really is an amazing testament to not only the people who have been involved in the NHS, but the community, because they have supported this at a time when so many historical organizations are having tremendous difficulty trying to survive, and the NHS continues to thrive.
“I can’t thank the volunteers enough, the committee that put this event together, we thank you. … We couldn’t do this without the support of each and every one you here, and we want to say, ‘Thank you.’”
Tarmy explained that, looking forward, the NHS is looking to continue its research on Black residents who lived in Nahant. Through an intern at Tufts University, they have found the descendants of the original families.
Collaborating with researchers at American Ancestors, the current plan is to have one of the researchers conduct a three-month sabbatical to continue the investigative work.
Another exciting element that Tarmy was pleased to announce was a future collaboration with Lynn Museum and Arts, with a plan to create an exhibit based on the Indigenous people of Lynn and surrounding communities.
