STUDENTS TEAM-UP WITH NORTH ANDOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO HIGHLIGHT LOCAL HERO
North Andover, Mass., March 28, 2025 – The North Andover Historical Society, and several former North Andover Middle School students under the leadership of teacher Mr. Pat McGravey, have teamed up to create a new exhibit focusing on William Symmes Jr., an Andover (now North Andover) resident and Massachusetts representative, who provided a pivotal vote in favor of the ratification of the Constitution. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, April 5, at the Parson Barnard House from 11:00 am-2:00 pm, and is acting as a grand opening to the spring-to-autumn series of First Saturday events in which historic places within North Andover are open to the public the first Saturday of every month. The Parson Barnard House Museum is located at 179 Osgood Street in North Andover.
“It’s been an honor to work with students who are such passionate learners of North Andover history,” says David Blauvelt, Musem Educator at NAHS who worked closely with the students to create the exhibit. “Not only was this a fun project for them, but they learned a lot about our town’s history and how it affected our country as a whole.”
Despite plans for him to oppose ratification, Symmes, who at one point resided in the Parson Barnard House, famously experienced a profound change of conscience, ultimately voting in favor of the Constitution. While he is considered a hero now, at the time many Andover residents were disgruntled with his vote and ran him out of town. He ultimately settled in Portland, Maine.
In 2023, this same group of students worked with McGravey, town administration and local legislators to put forward a motion at North Andover town meeting recognizing William Symmes Jr. Today, a wing of the North Andover Middle School is named after Symmes.
This project is funded from a grant from the North Andover Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Other exciting events and exhibits celebrating history and the American Revolution are planned. Visit the website to learn more: www.NorthAndoverhistoricalSociety.org.
About the North Andover Historical Society
Founded in 1913, the North Andover Historical Society is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization. It has long held the Johnson Cottage as its historic base, fanning out across town with historic sites under its wing including the Parson Barnard House and Barn, the 1825 Hay Scales Exchange, the 1829 Brick Store, and the 1833 Hay Scales Building. Within the past two years, the renovated Stevens Center museum on the North Andover Common, has become the new hub of NAHS, housing: archives and collectables, rotating historic exhibits on the museum floor, a theater with seating for up to 70 people in what were once Omni Theater seats, a permanent display of green tech explaining the Net-Zero building, Diane’s Café, and meeting and social rooms (many of these spaces are available for rent). For more information, please visit www.NorthAndoverhistoricalSociety.org.
