PEABODY - In his day, the city's namesake, George Peabody, had countless friends and admirers..

Not much has changed.

The world-famous financier and philanthropist is as hip as ever. At 211 years old, he's got his own Web page on MySpace, the popular social networking site that counts millions as members.

MySpace and sites like it have become popular places for young people to connect and communicate. They can easily personalize, or rather "pimp" their sites with photos and music. And users can share personal tidbits about themselves like their favorite movies or weekend interests.

Before his online presence, few would know that George Peabody is an Aquarius with an average body type or that he was fortunate enough to have an audience with Pope Pius IX, French Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. But now the information is online for the interested and in a format popular among young users.

Considering his success, George Peabody was probably always at the cutting edge. But these days he has help from MySpace page creator Marieke VanDamme, curator of the city's George Peabody House Museum.

She said these sites are powerful tools that help her market both a city landmark and the area's well-known historical figure to younger audiences.

"It totally fits into our mission to make George Peabody relevant to the world," said VanDamme, who posted the site in late August. "The Internet is an amazing tool for that."

George Peabody already boasts around 100 friends on his page.

His site plays the song "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" from alt-rockers the Flaming Lips. With the lyrics, "If you could make your own money and then give it to everybody, would you do it?" it's a worthy tune for a man who made giving a hallmark of his life.

VanDamme, in her late 20s, said she has her own MySpace page, as do many of her friends. She read an online discussion among museum professionals about the merits of creating a page for museums and "decided why not?" Other museums, such as contemporary art museum Mass MoCA, have done the same.

Salem State English and journalism professor Perry Glasser said MySpace and similar social networking sites have "grown virally."

The social networks have branched out to host pages for everyone - from the nonliving to those living on the edge, and for everything from museums to blockbuster movies.

Glasser, former editor-in-chief of Web Guide magazine, said that for very little effort or cost, a company can easily maximize its exposure. Consider the million-dollar price for a 60-second advertisement at the Super Bowl versus a MySpace page, he said.

"In terms of bang for the buck, MySpace offers huge opportunities," Glasser said.

But kids looking for a way to rebel won't see much in MySpace once their parents catch on.

When VanDamme created the two pages, she actually sought out friends either from among existing MySpace users who live in the area or those who might have an interest in George Peabody.

By adding friends, she hoped to reach out to people who wouldn't ordinarily visit the museum or know anything about George Peabody.

"So it definitely helps us get ourselves out there," VanDamme said.

Once made, the page can be easily updated, calendar items posted, and journal or blog entries added.

Katherine Myers of Mass MoCA said the contemporary art museum's MySpace page came at the suggestion of the college-age marketing interns. The whole idea was "a lark," she said.

The page has quickly become a necessity for the North Adams museum.

"For us, Mass MoCA, we need to be there," Myers said. "We need to make the connection with that age."

It's a project she admitted she never would have made time to do. But the interns enjoy it and now spend a couple hours a week updating it.

"I'm 43. I think it's unseemly to do," Myers joked. "I certainly don't think it's a waste of an hour or two a week. If we convince two people a week to come to Mass MoCA, it's probably worth our time."

Until the next marketing trend supersedes this one, VanDamme has brought back to life the man whose name is perpetuated not only as a North Shore city but at a number of places also bearing his name, like Baltimore's Peabody Institute and London's Peabody Trust, which provides affordable housing. She said she's made friends with alumni of schools named after Peabody.

"We're all on equal playing fields on MySpace," she said.

Find George Peabody's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/georgepeabody.

Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.