Marblehead Bicentennial

  If you are into local art, then you may have heard of John Orne Johnson Frost, also known as J.O.J. Frost. He lived in Marblehead, Massachusetts from 1852 to 1923, claiming it was “the best place to live on Earth.” He is honored at the Marblehead Museum with the J.O.J. Frost Gallery and has work displayed at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion. Earlier in his life, he worked as a fisherman but soon gave that up to help run a local seafood restaurant. He and his wife, Lillie, had a happy marriage. But in 1919, Lillie committed suicide. Gutted over the loss of his wife, he began to work on art at the age of 70. Much of his artwork was conceived as “models of ships, buildings, birds, and fish.” Over the course of his art career, he made 130 paintings and 40 wood carvings. Frost considered himself a folk artist as he only was into art for himself, so he never sold his work. The goal was to preserve the history of Marblehead. Citations J.O.J. Frost at Marblehead Museum American Art Marblehead Ma...

  In 1983, Marblehead, Massachusetts celebrated the 350th anniversary of the Old North Church. Parishioners joined in for the festivities of this gracious milestone. Rev. Randall H. Niehoff Sr. is shown raising a new banner in commemoration.  The Church was formed in 1635 while working on Marblehead’s separation from Salem, Massachusetts. The first preacher was Rev. Samuel Cheever, but his service was short-lived due to health issues. The First Congregational Church was renamed in 1877. The anniversary festivities included visitors, including descendants from the original founders of the church.  Models from the different periods of the institution were put on display, as well.  The Church’s Mission is that the “Old North Church is an inclusive Christian Community called to bring to life God’s love and grace by sharing the gospel for this time and place; extending the hospitality Christ showed; embodying God’s love and compassion to those in need; and growing togethe...

One of the unsung heroes of the American Revolution derived from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Jeremiah Lee (1721-1775) became Marblehead’s most prominent figures. In the pre-Revolutionary War era, he became one of the richest businessmen- trading dried salt fish and shipbuilding, making him flourish by age 21. His politics made him a figure during the Revolutionary War. He served for twenty-five years as a British Colonel. Lee smuggled war funds through his alliance with France and Spain. He met  with Samuel Adams (1722- 1803) and John Hancock (1737- 1793) regularly, and he became a wanted subject in the eyes of the British Regulars. The meeting in Marblehead before April 19th, 1775 never happened as the Revolutionary War began, and about a month later, Lee contracted a fever and succumbed to his illness on May 10th, 1775. The Jeremiah Lee Mansion still sits in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with many visitors going. The mansion represents the remaining colonial architecture and represen...

  You may have seen the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware in your American History class, but did you know that the men in the boat were from Marblehead, Massachusetts? In the painting, as in life, a heroic Washington guided the Continental Army across the Delaware River on Christmas 1776. Despite disastrous weather and icy waters, they went on to triumphantly win The Battle of Trenton.  These brave soldiers were a part of the Glover’s Regiment in the Continental Army. Salem-born Col. John Glover (1732-1797) succeeded the 21st Massachusetts Regiment after Col. Jerimiah Lee’s death shortly after April 19th, 1775. Lee assisted in the plan to save Samuel Adams and John Hanock from being arrested by the British regulars.  Soon, Glover took hold of the Army after being appointed by General Washington. Glover’s financial success with the “codfish aristocracy” led to him commanding the Continental Navy on the ship, Hannah . The schooner was commissioned in September 177...

  1976 marked two hundred years since America declared its independence from Great Britain- calling for celebration across the country. Massachusetts had a lot to celebrate, it being the state starting the fight for freedom. With help from the Bicentennial Committee, Marblehead took part in the festivities with parades and reenactments. With more visitors this summer, residents were still able to participate in events. Planning a city event calls preparation, even a year in advance. Marblehead's own George Alsberg stated the celebration would be "obnoxious... right up the street- I can see it from here-is where General Glover lived. When you're this close touch with history, all this commercialism just cheapens it." On the other hand, John Farrell of Marblehead took the time to notice the children in the town were playing by the trees that were first planted in 1776. A calendar of events was posted for the entirety of 1976 including parades, fireworks, races, and dedi...