The Karma of Modern Problems
by Gavin Keenan. This article was first posted in 2017, and is timely as ever.… Continue reading The Karma of Modern Problems
On the Massachusetts North Shore
by Gavin Keenan. This article was first posted in 2017, and is timely as ever.… Continue reading The Karma of Modern Problems
It’s popular to wax nostalgic of a time and place where the winters were colder, the snows deeper, and the pace of life more manageable. For those of us lucky enough to grow up in Ipswich, these things were mostly true.… Continue reading Oh, wintry Christmas of my youth!
This site is produced by Ipswich town historian Gordon Harris and is not officially affiliated with the Town of Ipswich, the Ipswich Historical Commission or the Ipswich Museum.… Continue reading About this site (with Index)
RSS feeds from some of our favorite blogs and sites.… Continue reading Other blogs (RSS)
Up for a walk tonight? How about joining me on a late-night beat shift in the early 1980’s? When you’re from a place and stay put, you pay attention to things. It’s the stuff of life that let’s you know where you belong.… Continue reading Let’s Go Walking……. After Midnight……
Situated in the epicenter of The Great Marsh, Ipswich is ground zero for the annual invasion of Town’s Official Pest, Tabanus nigrovittatus, better known as the Greenhead Fly. In my opinion, which I am happy to share with you, the Latin name for this scourge lends it far more dignity than it deserves.… Continue reading Life in the Time of Greenheads
“Ipswich is paradise with bugs.”… Continue reading Little Neck Nostalgia
On April 24, 2018, a demolition request was filed for the Kozeneski farmhouse at 173 Linebrook Road, The developer has offered assistance with removal costs. … Continue reading 173 Linebrook Road, the Kozeneski farm (c 1900, demolished 2019)
On June 10, 1913, police fired into a crowd of protesting immigrant workers at the Ipswich hosiery mill. A young Greek woman named Nicholetta Paudelopoulou was shot in the head and killed by police. Fifteen persons, including the local leaders of the I.W.W. were taken into custody.… Continue reading Police open fire at the Ipswich Mills Strike, June 10, 1913
What was forwarded to me was a shocking eye-opener of national proportions, I promised to keep it under my hat, so consider yourselves among the very privileged few to have this access. Please don’t tell anyone…… Continue reading The Postman Only Rang Once…….
I call for all of us to embrace a cause that may serve to unite our fractured democracy before it’s all too late.
This of course is the plight of Plastic Pink Flamingos. What, you ask?… Continue reading Pink Flamingos, “more musings from a musty mind”
Gavin Keenan is drawn to reminisce of certain events which occurred during his lengthy enlistment in the local constabulary, including this Clamtown mystery of pandemic proportions.… Continue reading Behold, a Pale Corpse
Retired Ipswich Police Officer Edward Walsh, who died recently, worked for the Town nearly fifty years, beginning in 1969 as a rookie patrolman. … Continue reading “We’re Here For a Good Time, Not For a Long Time.” Remembering the Celebrated Life of Ipswich Police Officer Ed Walsh
Gather all ye noble men and listen to my song. I know you have more pressing things But this shouldn’t take too long. Our tale occurs on slippery sand at a place called Middle Ground.… Continue reading The Battle of Middle Ground
What is an unreconstructed Townie to do when pummeled by these endless and unwanted shifts in the familiar that masquerade as progress?… Continue reading Keeping My Bearings in Changing Times
There has been a farm on this site since the late 17th century. Structural evidence suggests that the present house was constructed about 1800. From 1870 until the 20th century the building was owned by the Mitchell family.… Continue reading 34 Mitchell Road, the Mitchell Farm (1800)