During the 1840s the coming of the railroad to Beverly Farms started the development of the summer community. At the same time the Irish potato famine sparked massive immigration from Ireland to America. By 1880 Beverly Farms had Beverly’s largest concentration of Irish outside of downtown. Their presence was key to the development of both the cultural and structural character of Beverly Farms.

Nancy Glidden Coffey grew up in North Beverly and has always been interested in Beverly History. Sixteen years ago she began collecting oral histories and photographs of the year-round people of Beverly Farms and she is currently writing a history of the Beverly Farms during the Gold Coast years (1845-1960).

Free and open to adults. Questions? Contact Ona at ridenour@noblenet.org.

View the full Monday Mornings schedule. Sponsored by the Friends of the Beverly Public Library.