House of Representatives, 7th Essex Salem, John D. Keenan, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts & Cultural Development congratulated the members of the Whittier Home Association at the Whittier Home Museum recently in a letter stating that they were named one of the “1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts”. He also thanked them for making it a special place to live, work and visit.

For over 100 years the Whittier Home Association has been steward of the Whittier Home Museum & Gift Shop on 86 Friend Street in Amesbury, maintaining the property and collections, and striving to educate others about John G. Whittier. It is the house where John Greenleaf Whittier lived from 1836 until his death in 1892. As a Quaker, creative thinker, environmentalist and freedom lover, Whittier published poetry most of his life and is famed for “Snowbound” in addition to his anti-slavery activism. It has been a resource for researchers and students from the local schools for many years. Visit the home to see the family furnishings, artifacts and memorabilia, along with the Gift Shop’s publications of Whittier’s works and history.

View of Summer Kitchen

The Whittier Home, 86 Friend Street, Amesbury, is hosting another old-fashioned “Tea in the Garden” on Friday, September 10 at 2:00 pm.  The menu includes tea (hot or cold), lemonade, sandwiches and desserts. Cost: $15. Call 978-388-1337 to reserve a seat or go to www.whittierhome.org.

In additon, the next annual  fall meeting of the Whittier Home Association will be Thursday, October 7 at 2:00 pm. It consists of a guest speaker TBA, tea, coffee and sandwiches. Guest are welcome at a $5.00 fee. For over 100 years the Whittier Home Association has been steward of this house museum, maintaining the property and collections, and striving to educate others about John G. Whittier. The Museum has just been listed as one of the 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts.

A lovely table of colorful and tasty fare alfresco at the Whittier Garden.

Abundant thanks to the many who participated in the first “Celebrating Whittier Garden Party,” held recently in the poet’s Victorian garden at 86 Friend Street in Amesbury. The Steering Committee: Gerri Gritzen Berry, Diana Burkholder, Cynthia Costello, Pamela Fenner, Paula McPartland, Rita Mullis, Joanne Sullivan,  Skye Wentworth and Harriett Gould worked diligently for the past several months to present what the Whittier Home Association hopes will become an annual fundraiser for the upkeep of the Whittier Home historic house museum, recently damaged in the spring floods.

The garden was filled with over 100 patrons who enjoyed exquisite poetry from “The Tapestry of Voices”, a scrumptious summer buffet, and an exciting Silent Auction. It was an afternoon of peace and serenity as in days of yore, when Whittier entertained friends reading “The Laurels”.

All enjoyed the music of talented classical guitarist, John Tavano and admired the artists Joan Gessner and Ellen Rittgers, painting on site. Whittier re-enactor, former Mayor Nicholas J. Costello welcomed guests at the garden gate.

A special thanks goes to our Master of Ceremonies, Charles Cullen, who skillfully directed the program and recognized the work of the committee, the buffet, and gorgeous floral arrangements by Rosemarie Rodie.

The Whittier Home Association is grateful for the financial corporate sponsorship of The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank and The Provident Bank and member sponsors May Wetherby Jones, Rosemarie Rodie, Terry Bailey, Rita Mullis, Sue Curry and many more.

Special thanks to our in-kind contributors: Andyman Dessert and Baking Company; Doug’s Signs, Paul. C. Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, Cider Hill Farm, Cathy Toomey, Stone Ridge Properties, W. E. Fuller & Company, Market Basket, Michaud’s Garage, Don Meskie, Watershed Online Media, Carter Wentworth, Rep. Michael A. Costello and Joseph Costello, Michaelmas Press, Skye Wentworth, Stop and Shop and Rex Video Productions.

The success of our Garden Party would not have been possible without the generosity of our Silent Auction donors: Ted and Terry Bailey, Nan Becker, Nicholas J. Costello, J.P., Anita Freeman, Richard Gale, Joan Gessner, Harriett Gould, Terence Gleason, Pat Grenier, Laurie Knapp, Sally Lavery, Lowell’s Boatshop, Maudslay Arts Center, Gail Lyman, Lyman Center, Paula McPartland, Jeanne Meserve, Dennis & Judy Merchant, Lisa Greenleaf, Rita Mullis, Ristorante Molise and Ghlee Woodworth.

We appreciate the many volunteers who assisted the Steering Committee: Marge Anderson, Dawn Bennett; Brenda Burkholder, Elinor Curtin Cameron, Luther Colby, Dianne Cole, Hope Cole, Sue Curry, Julia Faulkner, Paul Fenner, Richard Gale, Pat Grenier, Sue Herman, Judy Jester, Sally Lavery, Margaret Nichols, Marie Messner, Kristine Malpika, Julia Anne McCullough, Judy Merchant, Joan Parker, Barbara Silberman, Annie Tunstall, Bob Sledwitz, and Tapestry of Voices’ poets Rhina Espaillat, Harris Gardner, Walter Howard, Joanna Nealon, Isabella Nebel, and Lainie Senechal.

No event of this size would have had the attendance without the extensive coverage by our local news media outlets that published the stories, press releases and photographs.

With gratitude and friendship,

Cynthia Costello, President
Whittier Home Association
Chair, Celebrating Whittier Garden Party (Click here to view our photo gallery)

Our regular season and hours are listed below. However, if you are interested in conducting research, an interview, or any other activity that is time-sensitive, please contact us and someone from the Home will make every effort to accommodate you.

Thank you for your interest in the Whittier Home. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hours: Open June 5th through October 31st. Guided tours Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (last tour begins at 3:30pm). Otherwise by appointment by calling 978-388-1337 or 978-465-5964.

Admission: Adults $6; students (age 7-17) and seniors $5; children (under 7) free. Group rates on request.