Welcome to the inaugural newsletter of The Independent. My name is Will Dowd, and I’ve covered this town for several years.I founded The Independent with a simple goal: To deliver consistent, contextual and in-depth coverage that reflects Marblehead’s unique character and priorities.
At its core, the Independent is about fostering continuity in a media landscape where coverage often feels fleeting. This work is rooted in showing up — sitting through late Select Board meetings in Abbot Hall, following zoning disputes, chronicling leadership changes and writing obituaries that honor lives well lived.
What the Independent brings isn’t just information — it's Marblehead news with context.
What you can expect:
Two newsletters each week
Daily updates online for time-sensitive items
The Independent Notebook — a community bulletin you can contribute to
Arts and culture coverage that celebrates Marblehead
Occasional explainers on schools, zoning and budgets
Going forward, each newsletter will begin with one broad, sweeping sentence meant to capture the town’s mood and frame what’s inside.
Thank you for inviting the Independent into your inbox, and please invite others to sign up: tinyurl.com/5256pyj7. I promise to make every edition worth your time.
— Will
Editor, The Marblehead Independent
This edition of The Independent's newsletter is made possible by the support of ALTOVA.
For the first time in 36 years, Marblehead is developing a new master plan, with an advisory group set to guide how the town grows while preserving its historic character.
A newly donated trove of photographs brings the Children’s Island Sanitarium back into view, capturing summers when sick children came to Marblehead’s shores to heal in salt air and sunlight.
Neighbors gathered under lights and music as the Marblehead Museum unveiled its $1.4 million restoration of the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen, a project that preserves the past while preparing to tell a fuller story of the town’s history.
The Independent Notebook is a digital bulletin board for announcements, reminders and notices from town government, schools, organizations and residents. Find out how to submit at marbleheadindependent.com/submissions marbleheadindependent.com/submissions.
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