Glover, a revolutionary war hero, retired in Swampscott and lived his final days in town. Glover’s farmhouse may be Swampscott’s only original, still-intact direct connection that Swampscott has to the American Revolution. Schultz explained to the audience that the Swampscott house Glover lived in is in danger of being demolished in the near future.

The lecture was held at the Salem Armory Visitor Center and hosted in conjunction with Essex Heritage.

Attendees first learned about Glover’s background and his involvement in the Revolutionary War before Schultz discussed the current state of the Glover House.

Schultz and the Swampscott Historical Commission have been working on the conservation effort for the Glover House for over three years.

While many people in Swampscott may be familiar with the dilemma, the Salem crowd expressed dismay that the house could soon be destroyed due to a residential housing development.

“His retirement home is in danger,” Schultz said to the audience. “We need to band together to make sure that this memorial to John Glover, who is very responsible for us being a country in the first place, stands.”

A demolition delay currently in place will expire on July 20. Schultz presented pictures of different parts inside of the house.

“So much of the original house is there, it’s pretty astonishing,” she said.

Save the Glover! efforts intensified after the town’s building commissioner notified the Historical Commission that the property owners had filed for a demolition permit in July. Although a nine-month demolition delay was previously placed on the development approved in 2022, that delay expired in January 2024. 

The Historical Commission held a public hearing on the issue, drawing support to preserve the house from Glover’s descendants, Select Board members, an 8-year-old and other residents from the communities the Glover Farmhouse touches. Following, the Historical Commission voted to instate another demolition delay, which now coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary month.

$600,000 has been raised to restore the envelope of the house and keep the structure intact and standing. The Historical Commission has a goal of $1 million.

“This is the time,” said Schultz. “Like crossing the Delaware was the time, we must save this house.”

The audience cheered on as Schultz emphasized the importance of saving the house.

National Development presented a pre-application proposal for a multi-family residential project to the Planning Board in March. The plan confirmed the Glover Farmhouse’s continued existence.

The Swampscott Select Board also recently expressed its initial support, and push for a more clear business plan, in the preservation efforts for Glover’s farmhouse during a meeting on March 18.

Schultz said at Wednesday’s event that the group is formulating ideas on what to do with the building if it is saved. Some potential options she brought up were a naval museum, a coffee shop or space for veterans.

To learn how to contribute to the preservation efforts, visit www.savetheglover.org.