The Magnolia Historical Society asked me to take some photos of a building that was being renovated. The new Landlord, J. Stratton Moore,of Manchester, MA, graciously allowed me to take some photos. As the workers were taking down sheet rock, they found these amazing sites that had been covered up over the years. Also what was found was a hidden safe in the wall.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/61616434@N08/sets/72157631543144184/show/
Information will be available for viewing once the MHS has established the Magnolia Historical Museum and Cultural Center at the Blynman School.
Hodgson, Kennard & Co.
Magnolia, MA c. 1890-1940’s
Edgar Hodson and H. Arthur Wood Kennard. Advertised in the 1920’s as jewelers and silversmiths; they retailed many silver items made by others.
Good Morning Gloucester 
I find this kind of thing fascinating. Friends of mine were renovating an old barn and found a musket hidden in a wall. I only ever find layers and layers of wall paper.
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Donna — What’s the story with the Magnolia Historical Museum locating in the Blynman School? And where is the Blynman School? I can’t wait to see what’s in the safe!
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Hi Fred: The Blynman School is on Magnolia Avenue and it was a little red school house. The safe did not have anything in it, but it is really cool. Do you have any information on the building on Lexington Ave? Thanks and take care
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I have an 1884 map of Magnolia, and it doesn’t show a school house. Lexington Avenue looks like there aren’t many structures there, especially long buildings like the arcade.
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Maybe there wasn’t a school there in 1884 but it is very much there today. It’s maybe a quarter mile south of Western Ave. on the right (the west side). It was still in use as an after-school center for children of working parents as late as the 1980s. Gloucester has a whole slew of former schoolhouses — the former Parsons School is now the Girl Scout House on Western Ave. near Stage Fort Park; the former Haskell School is next to the W. Gloucester firehouse and used by youth soccer (it was the Boy Scout House for many years); until a few years ago Action Inc. had its headquarters in a former school on Elm Street whose name I forget but is now converted to condos. Etc. There are more.
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Fantastic! We drove by yesterday and wondered what was going on. I hope some of those wonderful features can be preserved and become part of the building’s next life.
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Me, too, Bob. Great Job Donna!
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thanks
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Donna, it’s not clear to me where this building is. I thought the Arcade building pictured in the old postcard had burned down. But it appears that I was quite mistaken! It’s funny what tricks memory can play.
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Thanks, Not sure about being burning down, but there was not much left of the original building.. just fascinating .. the Blynman School is on Magnolia Avenue
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The store being renovated was the Grand Mason de Blanc store that sold very expensive towel, sheets, bed covering etc. and were from NYC & Mr. Brown was the sole clerk and very prim & proper. I went into the shop quite often and it was very elegant. What a shame to cover this beauty up. When the Ogins bought the stores, they really did a horrible renovation on the whole complex which really ruined the Avenue.
Gloucester should have declared Lexington Ave. a Historical District inorder to preserve the charm of the street. It was one of the most beautiful street in the state. Magnolia was a beautiful and perfect GEM and it was the best place to grow-up in. It will always be in my blood and will never forget the wonderful 40′ and 50’s and everyone knew each other with love. Good luck with the new renovations.
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Thank you very much
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Few would know better than the Ina family, whose longtime business was right across the street from the Grand Maison. Thank you!
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The building is actually on the corner of Flume and Lexington Avenue. Thanks
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I live in the house that is connected to the old studio, and have been trying to get some history on it,,,, do you know how old the house dates back to???? and who it was built by??? any info would be great.
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Hi Tammy: Thanks for your post, The Magnolia Historical Society may have some information. You can try Lisa Ramos. 978-290-3005, she is very helpful. Thanks again
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very quiet, very lazy when i had my studio there. what they have found there could be the beginning of a tourist attraction. hope it is preserved somehow. lots of history.
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Deb, I wonder if your art would have gone the directions that it has gone, if you had known what was underneath the wallboard. I love what you do, and so, am glad that you never got distracted by that gorgeous froufrou.
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