Representatives from North Shore Bank recently visited the Chamberlain Garden located at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers to present the Danvers Historical Society with a $2,500 donation to help restore the Cushing Pergola.
David McKenna, Vice President of the Danvers Historical Society said of North Shore Bank’s contribution:
I want to express how important donations as this are to the preservation of the rich history of the Town of Danvers. North Shore Bank continues to be committed to our efforts, just as they were committed to preserving the historic house where they maintain their Danvers branch.” He added, “I want to heartily thank the officers of the Bank for their continuous and very generous support of our efforts.
The Chamberlain Garden, which was designed in the Italianate style, was laid out from 1896 through 1898 by Joseph Chamberlain, an influential British politician. As originally designed, the gardens were bordered on the east by a barberry hedge, the north by rustic cedar pergola, and the west by the buckthorn of the Old Fashioned Garden.
In 1930, Herbert Browne designed a low brick wall for the east side, and brick columns for the north and west, and brought in ten marble columns from the Cushing Estate in Belmont to form the Cushing Pergola on the south side. The same wisteria vine, planted in 1899, that had covered the rustic pergola then covered the twelve-foot columns.
Due to storm damage, in the spring of 2019 the old cedar structure that sat on top of the marble columns was restored with historically accurate cedar wood.
Jodi Houghton, Branch Manager of North Shore Bank’s Danvers Office said:
We recognize that historical preservation is important to the cultural aspect of our community, and giving has always been a significant part of the Bank’s principles.” She continued, “When we were asked for help by the Danvers Historical Society, we didn’t hesitate to step up.
About the Danvers Historical Society
The mission of the Danvers Historical Society is to educate present and future generations of the public about the history and development of that geographical area encompassing the original Salem Village and the Town of Danvers, Massachusetts. The Society preserves materials and information relating to such history through activities as allowed to a non-profit corporation under Massachusetts law, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of a Museum, the acquisition, maintenance, and preservation of collections of objects, artifacts, documents, and significant Danvers structures and properties. The Society also conducts educational and publication programs, lectures and other events. For more information on the Danvers Historical Society visit
www.danvershistory.org.