HATHORNE — Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech will hold the Annual Larkin Gala in May to support the Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage project.
WHEN:
Saturday, May 14, at 6 p.m.
WHERE:
On the front lawn of Smith Hall at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
WHAT:
Essex Tech is hosting the Annual Larkin Gala this May, which will raise money to support the school’s Larkin Cottage project.
Essex Tech students from various disciplines, including Construction Craft Laborers, Carpentry, Masonry, Electrical, Plumbing and Agriculture, have been working to rebuild the cottage, using any historically significant or otherwise useful materials from the original cottage in the process.
Built in 1950, the cottage once served as the hub for the Homemaking program at Essex Tech, then known as the Essex County Agricultural School. The cottage is named for Lt. Catherine Larkin, a former student of the homemaking program and World War II nurse who died in a plane crash in 1945.
This new building, located across Route 62 from the Farm Stand, will include an agricultural museum, learning center and community function space. The facility will feature historic artifacts from the school’s long history, and also will include a kitchen to support events.
“We are committed to the rebuilding of this cottage which includes creating new space for our classes to meet, showcasing the history of our school in particular with agriculture, and hosting community and private events. This project provides invaluable, hands-on learning opportunities for our students. I encourage our alumni, local businesses and organizations and the greater Essex Tech community to join us on May 14 at the Annual Larkin Gala to support this project,” Superintendent Riccio said.
The gala will take place under a tent on the lawn in front of historic Smith Hall, and will feature music, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and farm-to-table meal prepared by the Culinary Arts students. The event will also include a cash beer and wine bar.
The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented. The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes members of the Essex Tech community and its past iterations, including Essex Agricultural and Technical High School, North Shore Technical High School and Peabody Vocational School, who have demonstrated a commitment to and achievement within the local vocational and/or agricultural industries.
Nominations are welcome here.
Tickets for the gala are $150 per person, and $1,200 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased here:
Those looking for additional ways to support the Larkin Cottage project can learn more at essexnorthshore.org/larkin/.
This event was rescheduled from the fall. Tickets previously purchased will be honored.
Superintendent Heidi Riccio, left, presented the 2020 Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award to Brian Cranney, president of the Cranney Home Services, whose company is one of more than 80 working with Essex Tech students for their co-op program. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech) 
Essex Tech’s Annual Larkin Gala returns as an in-person event on May 14. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)
