Boston North COMMENTARY OCTOBER 12, 2014
Danvers landmarks are threatened
C
ries for conservation and preservation are being heard across the Commonwealth, from Dover, Belmont, Stoughton, and Reading to Newbury, Ipswich, Beverly, and Danvers.
The pleas from Danvers are especially poignant. The town has a rich history dating back to the 1600s. Originally Salem Village, it played a pivotal role in the witchcraft hysteria. Later, residents rallied for both local and national independence and unity. And from 1878 to 1992, thousands of mentally ill patients received treatment at the sprawling, hilltop Danvers State Hospital. Throughout town, unique homesteads and landscapes weave a tale of resourcefulness, service, and personal integrity. Sadly, two historically significant structures—the Porter-Bradstreet homestead and Mackey Funeral Home—are now targeted for destruction. Also endangered is Whipple Hill, a green space that the North Shore Regional Strategic Planning Project identifies as a Priority Preservation Area of local significance. We must heed the pleas of concerned citizens. A Priority Preservation Area deserves “special protection due to the presence of significant environmental factors and natural features, such as endangered species habitats, areas critical to water supply, scenic vistas, areas important to a cultural landscape, or areas of historical significance.” I would love to celebrate our past and explore “The Spirit of Danvers Heritage Trail.” If only we had one.
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