LTTE: What happens when a town begins to forget its own story?

To the editor:

In the coastal town of Swampscott, where history lingers in the clapboards, two homes stand as more than structures — they are storytellers from a bygone era.

The first, Humphrey House, 99 Paradise Road, is a first-period colonial house complete with rare Indigenous decorations. The structure dates to around 1637, likely built for Sir John Humphrey, 1st Deputy Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and predates the founding of our country by more than a century. The second, less than a mile away, is the General John Glover House, the home of a Revolutionary Hero who helped to change the course of American history — a place where George Washington may have visited.

The Humphrey House serves many functions, including being the home to the Swampscott Historical Society, housing important historical archives, hosting educational tours for elementary students, and sponsoring speakers for the community throughout the year. All this at no cost to the taxpayers of Swampscott.

The latter, the General John Glover House, is slated for demolition in July after more than three decades of neglect. A dedicated group of volunteers, historians, and neighbors, www.savetheglover.org, are working to ensure that this important piece of American history is not forgotten, along with the full support of the Swampscott Historical Society. An engineering study from Structures North of Salem has stated that while the original main structure of the building where Glover himself dwelled has seen the effects of 30 years of sitting vacant, its structure remains intact, along with its 4 beehive ovens, magnificent chimneys, and period detail. According to the proposed business plan by Save The Glover, the projected cost to the town, like the John Humphrey House, will be zero.

So I ask again, what happens when a town begins to forget its own history? It doesn’t happen all at once. It happens quietly, when saving an important part of American history seems optional and old buildings are seen as burdens rather than the treasures that they are. Imagine the North End without the Paul Revere House? Historic Salem without The House of Seven Gables?

Now is the time to decide what kind of stewardship our town will leave behind. Will the General John Glover home be valued as the Sir John Humphrey was and preserved for generations to come, or will it become a distant memory? Let the story of an American Revolutionary war hero continue to be told.

Note: The Swampscott Historical Society is a nonprofit 501(c) organization. We are always seeking new members who are interested in preserving our town’s rich history. Many opportunities exist, including helping with archiving, educational tours, serving on the board, organizing events, and maintaining the gardens at the Humphrey House. For more information visit The Swampscott Historical Society, Inc on Facebook.

To find out more about General John Glover or to donate, visit www.savetheglover.org

Sincerely,

Connie Carman

Vice President of the Swampscott Historical Society and a Swampscott resident

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