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ne Danvers focus on education, employment, and fam- ily values. More than $250 million is being pumped into education projects alone, with renovations and additions to Danvers High School and North Shore Community Col- lege, not to mention the anticipated merger between the renowned Essex Agricultural and Technical High School and North Shore and Peabody Vocational Technical schools. MGH has invested $100 million in a new outpatient care facility here, and several other major employers, including Osram Sylvania, are helping to fuel employment, growth, and confidence. With two indus- trial parks, three malls, a thousand hotel rooms, numerous car dealerships, dentists, cosmetic surgeons, restaurants, and small businesses, Danvers appears to be riding out today's economic uncertainties. "We have a diverse commercial and industrial base," says Marquis. "We're a The Details Date of Settlement: 1637. Date of Incorporation: 1757. Zip code: 01923. Population: 26,493. Total Area: 13.5 square miles. Median household income: $58,779. Schools: St. John's Prep; Holten Richmond Middle School; Danvers High School; Essex Agricultural & Technical High School. Notable residents: John Endecott, first Gover- nor of Massachusetts; Rebecca Nurse, hanged for witchcraft; John Greenleaf Whittier, poet; Mark Bavaro, former New York Giants tight end; Erin McLean, Jeopardy! winner. Real Estate median Price: $299,500, Unit 27/33 Water St., Danversport, 2 beds, 2.5 baths, 1,320 square feet. Agent: Kathy L. DeLorenzo, Del Realty. high end Price: $649,000, 14 Oxbow Rd., Danvers, 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 3,000 square feet on 0.5 acres. Agent: Kathy L. DeLorenzo, Del Realty. 38 nshoremag.com March/April 2012 feature Crown Jewel The Peabody Institute Library is guardian to some of the rarest books in America. danvers may not shout about its witchcraft heritage, but it does everything in its power to preserve and protect it. For the past 40 years, town archivist Richard Trask has been acquiring, documenting, and safeguarding the Brehaut Witchcraft Collection—the world's largest com- pendium of imprints relating to the 1692 Salem Village Witchcraft Hysteria—keep- ing it under lock and key in downtown's imposing Peabody Institute Library. "The witchcraft is our crown jewel," he says, with more than a hint of pride. "It's what gives us notoriety around the country, and we have a complete collection here be- ing preserved for future generations." Stored in a humidity-controlled vault in the library's Archival Center, the collection includes rare books, manuscripts, and im- prints documenting the witchcraft era and dating back to the 17th century, as well as other precious items, including two original copies of the Declaration of Independence. While the collection isn't on public display, Trask has shared its contents with many documentary makers, writers, and scholars. He is currently working with Pulitzer Prize- winning author Stacy Schiff, who is re- searching a new book on Salem witchcraft. photograph by robert boyd fiscally conservative town, paying our way as we go and operating within budget. We don't have all of our eggs in one basket." Community spirit also runs high. The town rallied after a chemical explosion in 2006, raising $500,000 in private donations for those who lost their homes, and a new summer program called Project Sunshine launched last year to assist homeless fami- lies in the community. It's a far cry from the dark days of the Salem Village Witchcraft Hysteria, but like those defiant souls who went to their deaths defending their in- nocence, the people of Danvers don't take anything lying down. Salem may be the witch-kitsch capital of the world, but Danvers is the real deal—and not a broomstick or pointy hat in sight. The Peabody Institute Library. History Books