House Of The Seven Gables Awarded $25K Grant For Immigrant Services

SALEM, MA — The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association will use a grant of nearly $25,000 from Salem's Nonprofit Equity Grant Program to expand its support for immigrant communities on the North Shore.

The House of the Seven Gables, one of America's earliest historic house museums and the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel, also supports the Settlement Association for immigrants, which was first envisioned by activist Caroline Emmerton in 1910.

In the early 20th century, the Salem home was used as a gathering place for free English, citizenship and skills classes for children and adults. The work was funded from the tour proceeds of the building.

The Gables has partnered with the North Shore Community Development Coalition to provide more practical and accessible English as a Second Language classes in the spring, fall and summer of 2023 at the Community Development Coalition's Espacio Community Center at 105 Congress Street.

"With this designation, we will be able to provide our students with greater guidance to navigate the immigration system and support for people who want to become citizens," Settlement Programs Manager Ellen Berry said.

The grant will help cover instructor costs, the purchase of texts and materials, and software and app licenses to enhance in-class instruction.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)