“If This House Could Talk”

The Best Three Years of “If This House Could Talk”
The Museum of Old Newbury is pleased to welcome local historian Jack Santos on Thursday, November 15 for “The Best Three Years of ‘If This House Could Talk.’”  The titular event, created by Santos, has quickly become a summertime staple, occurring annually during Yankee Homecoming.  It’s a grass roots community event that neighbors and families have enjoyed.  How did it happen? 

Santos will answer this question and many more at his presentation, beginning at 7:00pm at the Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street in Newburyport.  The presentation will be preceded by a reception at 6:30.  Admission is free, but reservations are strongly recommended due to limited seating.  Contact the museum at 978-462-2681 or info@newburyhistory.org to make a reservation. 

“If This House Could Talk” encourages homeowners to tell stories about the history of their homes, and display the stories on poster board in front of their houses during the week of Yankee Homecoming.  The posters give passers by a sense for the history of the street, whether they walk there frequently or are exploring the area for the first time. 

During the event’s first year, in 2016, about 50 homes participated.  Newburyporters embraced the concept, and just two years later, in 2018, the event saw over 110 participants.  The event is sponsored the by the Newburyport Preservation Trust. 
Come hear Jack Santos provide a recap of the last three years of the event - the best, the funniest, the most poignant, and the most historical signs and stories.  Find out where the idea of "talking houses" came from, and some of the challenges in creating the program.  Santos will share his insight about why people participate in the event, what it has accomplished, and what is in store for the future. 

Santos has recently published a book titled “If This House Could Talk,” which serves as a time capsule and documentation of the stories and homes that participated in the event during 2018.  Books will be available for purchase at the program for $20, with proceeds benefiting the Newburyport Preservation Trust.