Gables Raising Funds for Secret Rooms Project

SALEM, MA - The House of the Seven Gables wants to let you in on a few secrets.

The House of the Seven Gables launched a crowdfunding campaign this week to raise $30,000 to help cover costs associated with the restoration of two largely unknown spaces on The Gables’ second floor. Known as the Secret Rooms Project, the entire restoration is expected to cost $200,000 and includes necessary structural reinforcement, interior restoration and research.

Participants in The Gables’ first-ever crowdfunding effort will be eligible for a number of rewards ranging from Museum Store discounts to a private dinner on The Gables’ historic campus. The campaign, run through Generosity.com, concludes on April 5, 2016. Check the website at 7gables.org for campaign updates and announcements.

To participate, those interested may go to Generosity.com.

Executive Director Kara McLaughlin says that the restored Secret Rooms will open to the public in 2018, in time to celebrate the house’s 350th anniversary. The two currently under-utilized second-floor rooms — a large chamber and adjacent living space — were divided decades ago, according to McLaughlin. They still have the original 17th-century wide pine floors, hand-forged nails and an exposed gunstock post.

Once restored, the rooms will impart greater scope and meaning to the stories The House of the Seven Gables tells its visitors.

“Rarely does an iconic property with the history and significance of The Gables yield such an opportunity,” said McLaughlin.

Many Salem-based trades- and craftspeople are working on the Secret Rooms project: American Steeple and Tower Co. has been appointed contractor; Structures North Consulting Engineers Inc. is providing the engineering expertise; David Hart is the supervising architect. Kevin White is the Director of Preservation and Maintenance at The Gables and the staff project manager is Special Projects Manager Julie Arrison-Bishop.

About The House of the Seven Gable Settlement Association

The mission of The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association is to preserve our National Historic Landmark and leverage its power as an icon of American culture to engage diverse audiences and provide education opportunities for our local immigrant community. For more information visit 7gables.org.