HUMAN SERVICES > COUNCIL ON AGING

History of Haverhill COA

Thirty-seven years ago the Haverhill COA began functioning at the location known as One Water Street. This was 1966. We then moved in 1969 to the Casey Paper Co. building at 19 Washington Square. One year later we opened the Senior Haven on Essex Street- it was more spacious, enabling us to provide a greater variety of elder services.

It was not long before it became very obvious to the then-director of the COA, and then Mayor James Campbell, the City Council and the Board of Directors, that those quarters in an older building were still cramped and inadequate.

A larger building in better repair was essential, in order to provide the quality and quantity of services lacking at the Haven. Space limitations severely hampered the necessary expansion of the staff.

A driving force in the creation of services for the elderly, Mr. Campbell's persistence-through political controversy- eventually made our current quarters at the present building, the Citizens Center, a reality. His untimely death in October 1977 did not permit him to see the culmination of his longtime dream.

Jim was instrumental in influencing the "City Fathers" in power at that time to have plans drawn up by the architectural group, Edward Tedesco Associates, in July 1977 for a new Senior Haven On Aging. The building was later named the Citizens Center at Mr. Campbell's suggestion.

Senior Haven officially moved to the Citizens Center on October 13, 1978, with the first meals served here three days later. On November 2, 1978, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. A plaque on the outside of the building recognizes the administrations of Mayors Katsaros and Burton, as well as the dedication of James L. Campbell in bringing this Citizens Center to fruition.