After nearly 40 years on Broad Street, the Salem Normal School began looking for a location to build a new campus. Multiple sites were considered, including Cherry Farm near route 128 in present-day Danvers. Ultimately, the Osgood Farm land in South Salem was chosen for its access to horse car lines, which passed by on the way to Marblehead.
The Osgood Farm began in 1797 when Christopher and Mary Osgood purchased nearly 20 acres from Thomas Mason. The family worked the land until 1828 when Christopher died, and the farm was left to his ten children. In the following years, the children fought over whether to sell the land or maintain it in the family. When the farm went up for sale, Christopher’s granddaughter Mary Williams purchased all available shares for a total of $5,342. Mary and her sister Abigail were both accomplished artists, having studied in Italy and later owned a studio in Boston. After the purchase of Osgood Farm, the two settled in the family home at 364 Lafayette Street, where they operated a small art gallery, featuring their own work and items from their trips abroad. The pair also offered painting lessons.
In 1893, Salem Normal School purchased a portion of the farm land for $25,000. The sisters used the funds from this purchase to travel. They maintained ownership of their home and immediate surrounding area until 1910, when the state purchased the homestead and remaining land for $7,500. Mary had passed away in 1902 and Abigail, then in her eighties was granted life residency. She died on April 26, 1913, bequeathing much of her wealth to local organizations and requesting that her and Mary’s artwork be displayed in major galleries upon her death. The home was soon demolished.
In 2007, Abigail’s 1866 painting “View of Vesuvius” was appraised to be worth $6,000 - $8,000.
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