The Swampscott Historical Commission has announced that its Historic American Building Survey (HABS) report on the history of the General Glover Farmhouse will be permanently housed in the Library of Congress.
The Commission partnered with Preservation Consultant Rick Detwiller of New England Landmarks to produce the report, which was nearly 60 pages long. The project was funded through a Partnership Grant from the Essex National Heritage Commission and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, according to Historical Commission Chair Nancy Schultz.
Schultz explained how this latest development can help the preservation efforts of the site.
“It certainly shows the central importance of this building to American history, and it’s a way of preserving the history of the site for posterity. It’s incredibly important because it’s a crucial site in American history, being one of the few homes owned first by a loyalist and then a Revolutionary War hero… It deserves to be enshrined in the Library of Congress,” Schultz said.
Schultz continued that the Commission had been working on the HABS report for over a year before it was completed.
“We got the grant from the Essex National Heritage Commission and began the process in 2024. We also had the addition of ARPA funds… It was a long process, but I’m very pleased with the thorough and detailed report that we submitted. To know that it will forever be in the Library of Congress is amazingly cool,” she said.
Marblehead Historical Commission member Ed Nilsson said, “Given the history of the site, it certainly seems appropriate that it’s recognized by the Library of Congress. We look forward to providing any assistance in helping document it further.”
According to its mission statement online, the Essex National Heritage Commission is a non-profit organization that has been federally authorized to manage and oversee the unique heritage resources of the Essex National Heritage Area.
“The preservation of the General John Glover farmhouse is a vital step in ensuring that the extraordinary legacy of one of our nation’s true heroes is not lost to time. By completing this survey, the Swampscott Historical Commission is securing a permanent record of our shared history, allowing future generations to connect directly with the stories of courage and leadership that shaped the very foundation of our country,” CEO of Essex National Heritage Commission Annie C. Harris said in a press release.
