FROM BUDLEIGH TO BEVERLY 400+ (WINTER 2025)

 While Roger Conant is closely associated with the founding of Salem in 1626 it should not be forgotten that he ended his days in the neighbouring community of Beverly, even if he would have preferred it to have been called Budleigh. Like Salem, Beverly is also celebrating its quadricentennial in 2026.

In common with many places in Massachusetts, the city has been chosen as a location for the making of at least half a dozen films in recent years. 

Following the Kickoff event in Lynch Park on 17 January, the Cabot Cinema will be showing The Proposal (2009) and Coda (2021). 

Both showings are part of the 'Beverly in the Movies!’  program.


Porchfest on 30 May will be a free family-friendly day of live music, so called because it will all happen on porches and driveways in the city’s neighbourhoods.

On a very different note is the event ‘Honoring our Veterans: Vietnam Wall comes to Beverly at Beverly High School from 29 July to 2 August. 

 Revitalizing the city’s Independence Park will be a major legacy project to form part of Beverly 400+. The Park is the site of several key events in US early history, such as the reading of the Declaration of Independence before it was read in Boston. 

The Park is also the site of a celebrated naval battle, commemorated in what is sometimes known as the ‘Hannahversary’. In September 1775 the 4-gun schooner Hannah, the first armed American naval vessel of the American Revolutionary forces was run aground but evaded capture with no lives lost after confronting the British sloop Nautilus. The episode, to be re-enacted on 10-11 October, has led to Beverly’s claim to be ‘the Birthplace of the American Navy’. 

 Painting of Hannah by John F. Leavitt. Courtesy of the Navy Art Gallery. © 2025 Clifford Olsen/1775 American Moments.



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