For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Essex Tech to Hold Homecoming Gala Fundraiser for Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage

DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech will hold a Homecoming Gala this fall to support the Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage project.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

WHERE:

On ‘the lawn’ in front of Smith Hall at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School

WHAT:

Essex Tech is hosting a Homecoming Gala this October, which will raise funds to support the school’s Larkin Cottage project.

Essex Tech students from various disciplines, including carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing and agriculture, will come together this spring to rebuild the cottage, using any historically significant or otherwise useful materials from the original cottage in the process. The school has also partnered with designLAB architects, a Boston based architecture firm, on the project.

Built in 1950, the cottage once served as the hub for the homemaking program at Essex Tech, formerly known as the Essex County Agricultural School. The cottage is named after a former student of the homemaking program and World War II nurse, Lt. Catherine Larkin, who died in a plane crash in 1945. 

The new building, located directly across Route 62 from the Farm Stand on the school’s main campus, will include an agricultural museum, learning center and community function space. The facility will feature historic artifacts from the school’s long history, and will also include a kitchen to support various events.

“Rebuilding the Larkin Cottage is going to provide an invaluable, hands-on learning opportunity for our students, while also creating a new space for our classes to meet, showcase the historic past of our school and host community and private events,” Superintendent Riccio said. “We’re thrilled to rebuild the cottage, and I encourage our alumni, local businesses and organizations and the greater Essex Tech community to join us at the Homecoming Gala to support this project.”

The gala will take place under a tent on the lawn in front of Smith Hall, and will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres, a live and a silent auction and farm-to-table meal prepared by Essex Tech culinary students. The event will also include a cash beer and wine bar. 

While the cost of the project is lower as a result of the work students will provide to rebuild the cottage, Essex Tech has set an approximately $2.5 million fundraising goal.

Tickets for the gala are $250 per person, and $2,000 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Those looking for additional ways to support the Larkin Cottage project can learn more at essexnorthshore.org/larkin/.

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