Project Highlight: The Block

We’ve been hard at work with an interpretation and research project over the last few months.

In January, we started a historical research, interpretation, and public art project with Beverly Crossing, a Beverly-based developer. The Block is located between Rantoul, Park, and Pleasant Streets, and Railroad Avenue and is situated in the Odell Park Historic District. Prior to the new construction, this was the site of a number of historic buildings, but the interesting story is the neighborhood’s longtime connection to Beverly’s industrial history and economic development.

Our newest project will consist of four photographic murals based on collections from Historic Beverly and the Leventhal Map Center of the Boston Public Library. These murals will highlight historic buildings that were once a part of the neighborhood fabric, each with stories to tell. The new development features a public courtyard that will provide spaces for seating and roaming as well as a connective space for brand-new business tenants. The courtyard will have four interpretive signs, themed to talk about Beverly’s history, industrial history, business travel, and the importance of railroads.

As many museum pros know, there is only so much information that can go on an interpretive sign. We’ll be working with Beverly Crossing’s marketing team to create QR-code-connected webpages that will offer a deeper history as well as audio files of the text on the signage. People who visit the webpages will also gain access to a list of ways that they can learn more about each topic from books to videos to trips to Historic Beverly.

We expect this project to come to fruition in the coming weeks and can’t wait to see the end result!