01945 Summer 2021

Screen printed textiles are on display at the Marblehead Handprints exhibit at Marblehead Museum, celebrating the town's vibrant history.
Time traveling
PHOTOS: JULIA HOPKINS
Marblehead
was incorporated in 1649
The town was settled by Europeans
in 1629 as part of Salem
and that was the case until 1649
when Marblehead broke off as
its own town. Some say that
Marblehead separated because
its residents were less religious
than those in Salem.
Old Town House
was built in 1727
The Old Town House was used
as a meetingplace for the town
until they moved to Abbot Hall.
For a century and a half, this was
where elections were held and
where town meetings would be
held. Frederick Douglass once
spoke at the Old Town House.
The Spirit of '76
was painted in 1876
This painting is something
that a lot of people think of
when they think about Marblehead.
According to a local
historian, someone who knew
the artist wanted to bring the
painting to Marblehead and it
was installed in Abbot Hall.
Marblehead Pottery
was first made in 1908
Marblehead Pottery was
founded by Dr. Herbert Hall,
who holds the distinction of
being known as the father of
occupational therapy. He used
trades and crafts to help patients
adjust to life while living with
various physical ailments. The
pottery business took off, and is
still collected today.
J.O.J. Frost dies in 1928
Frost didn't start painting
until his 70s after the death of
his wife, and it is believed that
he painted over 100 pieces. Frost
considered himself a historian;
he often painted memories or
stories told to him by his elders.
Marblehead Handprints
were first made in 1970
Kathy Walters and Molly
Haley founded the screenprinting
business in Molly's home
where they screen printed various
fabrics for a variety of projects
and purposes. The former
business was most well-known
for its bags. At one point,
Handprints even had a window
display in Saks Fifth Avenue in
Manhattan.