Panel: Old Gables' photos have stories to tell

SALEM - The community is invited to join Ryan Conary, David Moffat and Everett Philbrook for an in-depth, entertaining conversation about findings made while working on their new book, "Images of America: The House of the Seven Gables." Their presentation is Saturday, March 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Gables Visitor Center, 115 Derby St., Salem, Mass. Some parking is available. Members are welcome, free of charge. Admission for nonmembers is $10. This team of authors - all staff members at The Gables - made a number of discoveries about the history of the iconic mansion while conducting their research. They also uncovered heretofore unknown stories behind some of the 200 rare photographs featured in the book. The House of the Seven Gables, known previously as The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, is 350 years old this year. It is one of the nation's oldest homes and one of its first historic house museums. Built by a prosperous sea captain who later died at sea, it stood during the tumultuous witch trials and, in 1910, was opened to all for tours by Salem philanthropist Caroline Emmerton. Proceeds were used to support The Gables Settlement Association work with the region's immigrants that continues to this day. The researchers pored over The Gables' archives as well as documents from other institutions to curate their book that features a century of photographs. Copies of the book will be available in the Museum Store before and after the lecture.