Have you wandered around Newburyport during Yankee Homecoming over the last three years, reading the fascinating stories of our lovely old houses? Then you’re sure to enjoy our June Village Talk, when local historian, Jack Santos, will tell us all about this summertime staple, If This House Could Talk. Jack will share with us the best, the funniest, the most poignant, and the most historic signs and stories.
Find out where the idea of "Talking Houses" came from, and some of the challenges in creating the program. Why did he bother to do this? Where else is this being done? Why do people participate? What has it accomplished? And what's in store for the future – will it include your house? Jack will give us tips on how to write about our own home’s story.
Homeowners are encouraged to tell stories about their homes, and display the stories on poster-board in front of their homes during the week of Yankee Homecoming. The posters give passers-by a sense for the history of the street, whether they walk there frequently or are exploring the area for the first time. During the event’s first year in 2016, about 50 homes participated, growing to more than 110 last year. The event is sponsored by the Newburyport Preservation Trust.
Jack recently published a book titled “If This House Could Talk,” which serves as a time capsule and documentation of the stories and homes that participated in 2018.
Village Talks are offered by the Greater Newburyport Village for the enrichment of the community. Village Talks occur every third Wednesday of the month at the Newburyport Senior/Community Center, 331 High St., Newburyport. Talks are free and open to all.