Representative Kerans Cheers On Ellie’s Challenge

The Danvers Historical Society is nearing the end of its 2022 Ellie’s Challenge drive to support a new matching fund in honor of a longtime Danvers resident.

This winter, Society President David McKenna established the Eleanor Ross Estate Matching Gift Challenge, in honor of his late mother, to support capital expenses across Glen Magna Farms, the National Landmark Derby Summer House, the 1754 Jeremiah Page House, and Tapley Memorial Hall.

The buildings in the Society’s architectural portfolio are the repository of Danvers’ history and trace the community’s development since the eighteenth century. The Challenge will end on April 30.

The Society’s mission is to preserve and protect this legacy, while welcoming visitors to programs hosted at the historic venues it maintains. Ellie’s Challenge will match gifts and donations above membership dues up to $45,000 to improve accessibility and the long-term sustainability of these historic resources.

Noting the importance of this effort, McKenna said, “There is still time to contribute to Ellie’s Challenge. These aren’t just old buildings. They are the biggest part of our collection, and their upkeep needs financial support. We are looking to our members, friends, and business partners to donate and help us preserve Danvers’ important places.”

Representative Sally Kerans said “I hope everyone will respond to David [McKenna]’s generous challenge by contributing so that Danvers doesn’t lose any more of the sites that give our town character. We don’t have a Community Preservation Fund. David and the late Ellie Ross are giving their personal fortune to the cause of preserving Glen Magna, the Page House, Tapley Hall and scores of artifacts the Society maintains without a dime of Town funds. We have lost too many historic treasures already. Let’s all chip in to preserve what’s left”, Kerans said.

Historic buildings, such as the Mansion at Glen Magna Farms (c. 1790) and the nationally recognized Derby Summer House (c. 1794, also known as the McIntire Tea House) require special care that must meet standards established by the state preservation agency and the federal Secretary of the Interior, which add significant cost to maintenance and repair. The Glen Magna Farms property is used for both private events and public programming, giving it special significance to Danvers and visitors across the North Shore.

On Page Street in Danvers Square, the Society stewards two additional properties: Tapley Memorial Hall (built 1930) and the adjacent Jeremiah Page House, which will be added to the National Votes for Women Trail this spring for its association with women’s rights advocate and educator, Anne L. Page.

As stewards of this significant collection, the Danvers Historical Society is taking great care to meet its mission of preservation, while planning for access and the future needs of the community. With more than $27,000 raised during this campaign, the enthusiasm for the Society is palpable. McKenna urges us, “As we bemoan the loss of historic Danvers homes to the wrecking ball to satisfy the soulless Developers' gluttony, Let's stand together and DO something about it. Every little bit helps. Together we can make a difference.”

McKenna added, “Raising money for the structural and utilitarian parts of these old buildings is not the most exciting, I’ll admit. But it is the most essential and Danvers knows that. The Society wants to be sure that these architectural gems are around for the citizens of Danvers to enjoy for another three centuries! Let's show Danvers that WE CARE about OUR Home Town!"

The Danvers Historical Society is a membership organization that fosters preservation of historic resources and supports educational programming on Danvers heritage through in-person and virtual programming. To support Ellie’s Challenge ahead of April 30, please visit “Get Involved” page at www.DanversHistorical.org and click on the Donate button for secure access to the PayPal portal.