How Will Climate Change Affect Salem's House Of The Seven Gables?

SALEM, MA — How climate change could impact one of the North Shore's most historic buildings and campuses will be the focus of a free public discussion at The House of the Seven Gables in Salem on Thursday night.

The discussion will review the findings of a two-year study into the climate impacts on The House of the Seven Gables and what plans are being made to mitigate them.

Director of Preservation and Maintenance Paul Wright and Collections Manager Susan Baker will be joined by Salem Sound Coastwatch Barbara Warren and Union Studio Associate Principal Kara Babcock to lead the discussion.

The Gables partnered with Salem Sound Coast Watch, Union Studio, Horsley Witten Group, and
Collins Engineers to collect data, evaluate and repair coastal structures, and develop a plan to preserve The Gables and its other historic structures for generations to come. The grant was the
first in the state to be awarded to a nonprofit museum with plans for the research to become a model for similar institutions in the region.

"This climate adaptation report will serve as the roadmap for The Gables for the next five decades through a period of unprecedented change," Wright said. "Our hope is that The Gables and its legacy will outlast this change, but we will likely have to fundamentally alter our campus in response to it."

"As a high priority notable historic resource along with the Derby Street Historic District, The Gables aligns with the city of Salem's action plan to conduct risk assessments and plan for climate resilience," said Warren. "The Gables is a role model to other preservationists and the local community as it shares their increased knowledge of the climate risks and develops relocation plans for buildings and assets. Salem Sound Coastwatch commends these actions."

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free with registration here.

(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.)