DANVERS — Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School (ENSATS) is proud to announce that Essex Tech will once again host the annual Larkin Gala on Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m., on the lawn at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, located at 565 Maple St. The gala aims to raise crucial funds for the ongoing rebuild of the Catherine Larkin Memorial Practice Cottage on campus.
The Larkin Gala, named in honor of Lt. Catherine Larkin, serves as a cornerstone in the rebuilding efforts of the historic Larkin Memorial Cottage. The event will be held under a grand tent on the lawn in front of Smith Hall, offering attendees an evening of enchantment filled with music, delectable hors d’oeuvres, a lively auction, and a farm-to-table meal meticulously prepared by Essex Tech culinary students.
As part of the gala, ENSATS will bestow the esteemed 2024 Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award upon a distinguished community member who has exhibited remarkable success in the local agricultural industry.
Individual tickets for the gala are priced at $150 each, or $1,200 for a table of 10, and can be conveniently purchased online.
In addition to ticket sales, organizers are actively seeking donations of items and services to be featured in the live and silent auctions. Furthermore, project sponsorship opportunities are available, with various recognition levels ranging from Iron to Platinum. Interested parties can sign up for sponsorship.
“The historic significance of the Larkin Memorial Cottage, originally built in 1950 in memory of Lt. Catherine Larkin, underscores the importance of this restoration project,” Essex North Shore Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio said. “Once completed, the cottage will serve as a versatile multi-use facility, housing a historical museum, service kitchen, office space, exhibit hall, learning lab, and function space.”
This project not only preserves local heritage but also provides invaluable hands-on experience to students in the Construction Career Technical Education (CTAE) programs. Students engage in all aspects of the design and construction process, learning directly from skilled workers in the union trades.
Recent progress on the cottage includes significant contributions from carpentry, construction craft laborers, plumbing, masonry, and electrical students, with support from partnering contractors and generous donations from companies like Nardone Electric.
For more information about the Larkin Memorial Cottage project and to view ongoing student work, please visit here.
For insights into past recipients of the Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award, click here.
