Stepping backward to go forward: SIAA's new headquarters includes a New England homestead that is 271 years old.

The Strategic Independent Agents Alliance recently added a touch of history to its operation by moving to a landmark house in Hampton, N.H.

In mid-August, the SIAA moved its operations into a completely renovated, 13,000-square-foot corporate headquarters set on 2.87 acres at the site of the historic Widow Mary Leavitt House. The alliance looks to the future by assisting small agencies--including new start-ups, direct writers seeking to become independent and individual agency producers going out on their own--as well as larger agencies that want to grow to the next level. By joining the alliance, each gains the buying power and support of a much larger organization.

If the new headquarters' walls could talk, however, they would spill volumes of the past.

Among the first settlers to arrive in the area were 56 Puritans from Norfolk, England, who ventured to the New World in 1638. They selected Hampton because the area was rich in salt marshes and fishing banks. A local road, completed in 1700, soon became the main thoroughfare from Portland, Maine, to Boston.

Several years later, local residents Moses Leavitt, a farmer who operated a dairy farm as well as growing market crops, and his wife, erected tavern house on the road north of SIAA headquarters' prior location in Portsmouth, N.H. The consistent traffic of tradesmen, farmers and seamen proved profitable, and the tavern became a common meeting house where individuals discussed recent acts of oppression by the ruling British monarchy, said SIAA Chairman Jim Masiello.

In March 1733, the tavern burned to the ground. The next day, however, neighbors rallied to rebuild the local meeting house into a large two-story frame house. In 1750, the structure was relocated to its present site.

But a touch of the new has been combined with the old. Several years ago, a law firm that resided in the building added new office space to the homestead, constructing catwalks to connect the two buildings. SIAA recently made several enhancements to the house, including running computer cables and updating wiring. "We brought it back to life in its original state," said Masiello.

SIAA selected the landmark as its commitment to help preserve the historic value and because of its ideal geographic locale. The Widow Mary Leavitt House is less than an hour from two major airports and is situated conveniently off Interstate 95--a heavily traveled corridor along the East Coast.

But convenience isn't all the new headquarters has to offer. "It's a mark of what we are. We value our traditions very highly, we are good community citizens and when our staff and visitors come here they will get a good taste of what New England is all about," said Masiello, reflecting on the historical feel of his office, complete with wood paneling and a working log fireplace. "In addition, it's unique and we like to be unique in everything we do."

Masiello also said the move is a salute to the pioneers who toiled to make the country great, enduring overbearing hardships.

Today, 15 members of the SIAA staff work in the new headquarters. Executive offices are housed in the historical "farmhouse," and back-office operations are located in the new office addition.

Strategic Independent Agents Alliance

Headquarters: Hampton, N.H.

Chairman/Founder: Jim Masiello

Organization: An international independent insurance-agency network composed of larger "master agencies," joined by local independent agencies, direct writers, captives, producers and life and financial service agents who become Independent Strategic Members of the Master Agency Network

Year Founded: 1983

Membership: More than 1,500 independent agency members in 48 states and Canada

Financials: More than $3.25 billion in premium volume

Source: SIAA