In the News

April 2012

• Gloucester Times - Essex Heroes dinner honors Leonard The Essex Heritage Hero award will be presented within a tribute dinner format, on Wednesday, May 9, at the Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 181 Essex St., Salem. Cocktail hour starts at 6:30 p.m.


• Marblehead Reporter - Danvers man to be honored as Heritage Hero Salem - Essex National Heritage Commission and the National Park Service will host the 2012 Essex Heritage Hero Awards dinner, honoring Salem native and Danvers resident Thomas M. Leonard, Wednesday, May 9 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.


• North Shore Magazine - Hidden Gems of the North Shore Essex Heritage Photo Safaris Selected as a "Hidden Gem of the North Shore"


• Gloucester Times - TD Foundation gives heritage group $5K TD Bank has donated $5,000 to the Essex National Heritage Commission as part of the bank's commitment to giving back to the community.

March 2012

• MassNonprofit.org - Essex National Heritage Commission Gets a $5K Grant Essex National Heritage Commission Essex National Heritage Commission, based in Salem, received $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, which support hiring of three under-served youth to start working in two National Park sites in Salem and Saugus.


• Press Release - TD Charitable Foundation supports Essex Heritage and NPS TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, recently donated a total of $5,000 to the Essex National Heritage Commission in Essex County as part of the bank's commitment to giving back to the community.
  
  The Essex National Heritage Commission and National Park Service are thankful for the generosity from the TD Charitable Foundation for the Youth Summer Jobs program. The grant will allow for the hiring of three additional under-served youth to start working throughout the two National Park sites in Salem and Saugus.


• Boston Globe - Essex National Heritage Commission gets grant to fund youth jobs TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, recently donated $5,000 to benefit the Essex National Heritage Commission's Youth Summer Jobs program.

February 2012

• Salem News - Landscaper helps traverse the muddy divide Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Essex National Heritage Commission, four interpretive signs will be installed along the trail. The sign about Dodge will be installed along the Putnamville section of the rail trail.


• TRAILS & SAILS 2012: Essex Heritage Seeks Host Site Registration for Premier Partnership Event The Essex National Heritage Commission has issued a call to all heritage non-profit and community organizations, as well as recreation- and heritage tourism-based businesses, to participate as site hosts for the eleventh annual TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water, September 21-23 & September 28-30, 2012.


• Boston Globe - A graveyard for ships explored - Archeologists study wrecks on Stellwagen Bank At last year's Trails & Sails, the Essex National Heritage Commission's annual fall event, the Stellwagen Bank presentation won a People's Choice award.

January 2012

• Merrimack River Trail Planning Report Released The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) and the Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) jointly announce the release of the Merrimack River Trail Reconnaissance Planning Report. The reconnaissance level planning report focuses on re-imaging the existing Merrimack River Trail as one of the region's outstanding recreational assets: a 50-mile long bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting 17 communities along the Merrimack River in Massachusetts. The report was funded by a Recreational Trails Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

December 2011

• Saugus Chamber of Commerce welcomes Iron Works superintendent to Board of Directors At a reception held recently at the Marleigh Graves Community Building, members of the Saugus Chamber of Commerce, elected officials from the town of Saugus, individuals representing other Saugus organizations and trustees and staff of the Essex National Heritage Commission welcomed Michael Quijano-West as the new superintendent of the National Park Service's Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites.


• Newburyport Daily News - Locals recognized for Essex National Heritage Area photos Several local residents captured prizes in the 2011 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest. Sponsored by Essex Heritage and Hunt's Photo and Video, the 2011 photo contest winners will be presented with their awards on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 5:15 p.m. at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Salem, where the photographs will be exhibited for one year.


• Saugus Daily Item - Saugus welcomes new parks superintendent Saugus welcomed Michael Quijano-West, new National Park Service superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works.


• Essex Heritage Announces Winners of 2011 Photo Contest From rocky coasts and harbors, to rural farms, forests and historic downtowns... photographers searched out the best and most beautiful locations for their award-winning submissions to the 2011 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest. Sponsored by Essex Heritage and Hunt's Photo and Video, the 2011 photo contest winners were announced this week and will be presented with their awards on December 13th at 5:15pm at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Salem, where the photographs will be exhibited for one year.


• Boston Globe - Beverly woman finishes second in 2011 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest Susan Plutsky of Beverly won second place in the Experiencing the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway category of the 2011 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest. Of the 140 images submitted to the contest, 13 winning images were selected by a panel of judges that included representatives from Essex Heritage, the National Park Service, Hunt's Photo & Video, and professional photographer Robert Ring of New England Photo Workshops.


• Boston Globe - Two Salem residents win Essex National Heritage photo contest Last year Stanley Slysz woke up around 4:30 a.m. one August morning, packed his photography gear and headed to Winter Island to catch the sunrise illuminate the island's lighthouse. The resulting photo, titled "Sunrise at Winter Island," won a first place prize this week in the 2011 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest.

November 2011

• Essex Heritage Announces Top 10 Events of 10th Annual TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water The Essex National Heritage Commission announces the "People's Choice Awards" and raffle winners for the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks and Water. The "People's Choice Awards" represent the top ten TRAILS & SAILS events this year as voted on by participants. Additionally, as this year marked the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS, Essex Heritage created a "passport" for participants to use to collect "stamps" at 10+ unique events and use to win one of the TRAILS & SAILS 10th anniversary prizes.


• Huffington Post - Salem Witch Trials Get A Second Look The story begins with a community that feels under siege. Reeling from bloody Indian wars and wary of encroaching French Catholics, residents of rural Salem Village feared the Puritan experiment in America's colonies might be nearing a violent end. Into this tinderbox comes the newly ordained Parris, a 36-year-old Harvard dropout who'd been a serial failure in farming and business enterprises.


• Washington Post - Salem Witch Trials Get A Second Look For centuries, scholars have wondered how a farming village in 1692 could have become so hysterically anxious that magistrates would order 20 executions for crimes of witchcraft.


• Newburyport Daily News - Newbury group wins award for preservation efforts Residents and business leaders from around Essex County gathered at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich as The Essex National Heritage Commission conducted its annual fall meeting.

October 2011

• Boston Globe - Honors for preservation work The Essex County Greenbelt Association and a group of residents are being rewarded for their efforts in saving a property deemed crucial to Newbury's history.


• Essex National Heritage Commission Announces 2011 Pioneers in Partnership Awards Over 100 residents and business leaders from around Essex County gathered at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA as The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) conducted its Annual Fall Meeting, announced the recipients of its Special Recognition and Pioneers in Partnership Awards, introduced a new slate of officers and elected eleven new commissioners on October 25, 2011.


• Boston Globe - In Salem, a tale of fear so real you could touch it The Essex National Heritage Commission has produced its own film, playing around the corner from CinemaSalem at the National Park Service Visitor Center at 2 New Liberty St.


• Boston Globe - New movie based on the most recent scholarly research on the Salem Witch Trials opens in Salem. The first questions most tourists usually ask the park rangers at the National Park Service Salem Visitor Center are about the history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, which resulted in the hanging of 20 people accused of consorting with the devil.

September 2011

• Salem News - Witch Trial Film Debuts Here Over the next week, two new films on the Salem Witch Trials that were shot locally will hold premieres here. One debuts today and the other on Tuesday.


• Salem Gazette - Oct 4th Premier of Salem Witch Trial - Examine the Evidence The National Park Service and Essex National Heritage Commission Announce the Premiere of Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence.


• Press Release - The National Park Service and Essex Heritage Announce the Premiere of Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence The Essex National Heritage Commission, in partnership with the National Park Service, will premiere Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence, on Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 pm at the National Park Service Salem Visitor Center at 2 New Liberty Street, Salem. Reservations are required


• Newburyport Today - Week of September 23d


• North Shore Kid - Trails and Sails 2011 Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer nearly 200 free family fun events over the weekends of September 16-18 and September 23-25 for the 10th anniversary celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Participants can hike, bike, paddle, stroll or sail through the region and Essex National Heritage Area will provide a passport to FREE fun and adventure.


• DestinationSalem Blog: Trails & Sails Weekends are here! Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer nearly 200 free family fun events over the weekends of September 16-18 and September 23-25 for the 10th anniversary celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Participants can hike, bike, paddle, stroll or sail through the region and Essex National Heritage Area will provide a passport to FREE fun and adventure.


• Boston Globe - What to do this Weekend: Trails & Sails Happy trails: If you don't already know that Essex County has a lot to offer, now is a good time to find out.


• Eagle Tribune - Mill disaster tour debuts tomorrow "The Path: Fall of the Pemberton Mill," will be unveiled tomorrow at 1 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and screening with Mayor William Lantigua and students from Community Day Charter School. It will be held at Lawrence Heritage State Park, 1 Jackson St.


• Newburyport Today - Kick off to the 10th Anniversary of Trails & Sails Two Weekends of Walks & Water! The Essex National Heritage Commission and our partners have organized the LARGEST EVER collection of unique and exciting experiences throughout Essex County, Mass. to celebrate.


• Mommy Poppins - Trails & Sails is two weekends of "walks and water" Trails & Sails is two weekends of "walks and water" - a variety of walks, guided hikes, sails, historical tours, and boating and cycling adventures.


• Gloucester Times - Rocky Neck Tours, Free Events on North Shore Historic elements and outdoor activities are part of this weekend's fair starting with the 10th annual Sails and Trails event across Essex County over the next two weekends. Guided tours of Rocky Neck's historic art colony in Gloucester are just one of more than 100 free events offered on the North Shore, sponsored by the Essex National Heritage Commission.


• Gloucester Times - Byway sign grants seen as economic boost Grants being used to pay for directional signs along the 85-mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway - which meanders through parts of Gloucester and all three Cape Ann towns - are being touted as a spur to the region's economy by federal and state lawmakers alike.


• Swampscott Patch - Happy Trails and Sails Event This Weekend Learn about the Elihu Thomson House, the Sir John Humphrey House and Marian Court at tours the next two weekends. Trails and Sails, sponsored by The Essex National Heritage Commission, is hosting two weekends of open houses in Swampscott free to the public this month


• Ipswich Chronicle - Essex National Heritage Commission has received a $220,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration The Essex National Heritage Commission has received a $220,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration and $55,000 in matching funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the installation of directional signs along the 85-mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. The comprehensive signage system will direct travelers to the byway from the region's three principal arterial highways, and help guide visitors along the entire route.


• Boston Globe - Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer nearly 200 free events over the weekends of Sept. 16-18 and 24-25 Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Essex Heritage and its partners have organized the largest-ever collection of Trails & Sails events throughout Essex County to give residents and visitors a taste of the region's distinctive history, breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems.


• Newburyport Current - Trails & Sails all over the North Shore Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer nearly 200 free events over the weekends of Sept. 16-18 and 24-25 during the Essex National Heritage Commission's premier partnership event, Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water.


• Marblehead Reporter - Essex Heritage receives $275,000 grant for Scenic Byway signage The Essex National Heritage Commission has received a $220,000 grant from the federal Highway Administration and $55,000 in matching funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the installation of directional signs along the 85-mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. The comprehensive signage system will direct travelers to the byway from the region's three principal arterial highways, and help guide visitors along the entire route.


• Press Release - Essex Heritage receives $275,000 Grant for Essex Coastal Scenic Byway Signage. Congressman John F. Tierney and Senator Bruce Tarr announce that the Essex National Heritage Commission has received a $220,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration and $55,000 in matching funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the installation of directional signs along the 85-mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. The comprehensive signage system will direct travelers to the byway from the region's three principal arterial highways, and help guide visitors along the entire route.


• Salem News - Our view: Savoring the seasons This week marks the unofficial start of the season that, more than any other, distinguishes New England from the rest of the country.

August 2011

• Marblehead events to be part of Trails & Sails weekends. Momentum is building as the Essex National Heritage Commission presents its premier partnership event, Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water, Sept. 16-18 and Sept. 23-25.


• East Lynn Community Association is one of many organizations in Essex County participating in the 10th annual TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water, September 16-18 & 23-25, 2011. Now celebrating 10 years, TRAILS & SAILS will offer a passport to over 100+ FREE, FUN and FAMILY-FRIENDLY events at various sites that showcase our distinctive regional heritage. All events are designed to give residents and visitors a taste of the region’s distinctive history, breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems.


• ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SITES TO OFFER 190+ FREE EVENTS FOR 10th ANNUAL TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water Momentum is building as the Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) presents its premier partnership event: TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks and Water, September 16-18 and 23-25, 2011. Now celebrating 10 years, Essex Heritage and our partners have organized the largest ever collection of unique and exciting TRAILS & SAILS events throughout Essex County, Mass. to give residents and visitors a taste of the region’s distinctive history, breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems.


• College Students to Set Sail on the Friendship. It is setting sail Sunday for New York City, and thanks to a partnership between the National Park Service and the Essex National Heritage Commission, its crew will include a group of college-age interns from across Massachusetts. The two organizations have invited the public to wish the ship a "Bon Voyage" at 4:30 p.m. when it departs from Derby Wharf.

July 2011

• The Friendship of Salem Embarks Upon a Youth Journey on the High Seas: Salem, MA to New York, NY. The National Park Service, in partnership with the Essex National Heritage Commission, announces its Friendship Sails! A Youth Journey on the High Seas. The NPS tall ship Friendship will depart from Salem, MA for New York, NY on Sunday, August 7 with a crew of volunteers, NPS staff and youth from across Massachusetts. They are spending 2-3 days at sea, sailing to New York City where the young people will join a Youth Summit with their peers from New York City and Baltimore.


• Renewed Effort Gets Trail Plans Moving. Hiking and biking enthusiasts may finally get their mecca: a 50-mile continuous trail along the Merrimack River, from the tip of Plum Island to the New Hampshire border


• Thanks for a Great Lecture. On Thursday, June 30, Jim held a widely attended lecture titled "Love Song for Salem: A Visual Tribute." At the end of a remarkable presentation of heartfelt recollections, Jim generously donated a large portion of the evening's proceeds to Essex Heritage.


• 
  Renewed Effort Gets Trail Plans Moving. Hiking and biking enthusiasts may finally get their mecca: a 50-mile continuous trail along the Merrimack River, from the tip of Plum Island to the New Hampshire border.


• Planners expanding Merrimack River trail. The Essex National Heritage Commission and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission are working together to further develop the Merrimack River Trail, a long envisioned 50-mile multimodal recreational trail along the Merrimack River.

June 2011

• East Parish Meeting House Grant Project Completed; Stabilization plan created for 1838 landmark. The Essex National Heritage Commission is pleased to announce the completion of a historic structures report for the East Parish Meeting House in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The planning effort was funded in part with a 2010 Essex Heritage Partnership Grant.


• Chamber Spotlights Harris. The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce honored Annie C. Harris at it's May Good News Business Salute.


• Baron Mayer winner Leonard survived serious health scare. This year's recipient of the Baron Mayer Award for community service said he is lucky to be alive to accept the accolade later this month.

May 2011

• Neighbors protect part of Haverhill's History The city's newest addition to the National Register of Historic Places is...


• Tewksbury has joined a partnership project focused on further developing the Merrimack River Trail. The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) jointly announce a partnership project focused on further developing the Merrimack River Trail, a long envisioned 50-mile multimodal recreational trail along the Merrimack River.


• Proposed Merrimack River Trail Will Link Communities With Andover. The Essex National Heritage Commission and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) recently announced a partnership project focused on developing the Merrimack Valley River Trail linking six cities and 11 towns from Tyngsborough to Newbury including an existing stretch through Andover.


• Marquis, Burton, Driscoll Honored as Heritage Heroes. Danversport Yacht Club was the gracious host to honor Danvers Town Manager Wayne Marquis, Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton.


• Essex National Heritage Commission and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Announce Merrimack River Trail Planning Project. The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) jointly announce a partnership project focused on further developing the Merrimack River Trail, a long envisioned 50-mile multimodal recreational trail along the Merrimack River. The strategic planning project entails the engagement of trail advocates and municipal officials in the seventeen Massachusetts communities that line the Merrimack River.


• Our View: They're not buying into culture of greed. At the Danversport Yacht Club, the Essex National Heritage Commission honored its "Essex Heritage Heroes" for 2011 — Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, Danvers Town Manager Wayne Marquis and North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton.


• Three honored at Good New Business Salute. Three local businesses to be honorded by the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce.


• Maritime site boundaries could be expanded beyond Salem.The Salem Maritime National Historic Site has always been just that — a Salem property. That could change, after U.S. Rep John Tierney, D-MA, files legislation calling for a study of the National Park’s boundaries.study.

April 2011

• Essex Heritage to be Honored by the Amesbury Chamber. Annie C. Harris, Executive Director of the Essex National Heritage Commission is being honored, along with two other businesses, by the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce at the Good News Business Salute on May 18th at 7:30 a.m. at the Amesbury Sports Park located at 12 South Hunt Road.
  
  Letter on Park Expansion. We were delighted this week when Congressman John Tierney informed us that he has filed a bill to study expanding the boundary of the NPS Salem Maritime National Historic Site located on Salem's historic waterfront. The emphasis needs to be placed on the word study.
  
  
• Danvers ceremony celebrates Endicott Pear Tree. Four generations of Endicotts showed up for a celebration of the Endicott Pear Tree, the oldest living fruit tree documented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  
  
• Lecture celebrates Endecott Pear Tree's historic living legacy. Four generations of the Endicott family from around the country last night paid a visit to the place where their ancestor, Gov. John Endecott, is said to have planted a hardy pear tree with his own hands in 1632.
  
  
• U.S. to study Salem Maritime site boundary. The National Park Service will be asked to study a possible expansion of the boundaries of its property in downtown Salem, Congressman John Tierney announced yesterday.
  
  
• Study to examine possible maritime site boundary expansion. U.S. Congressman John Tierney yesterday announced legislation that would direct the National Park Service to conduct a study on expanding Salem Maritime National Historic Site boundaries.
  
  
• Essex National Heritage Commission Presents the Endecott Pear Tree Lecture.The Essex National Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care and the Danvers Historical Society will present a lecture on, and visit to, the Endecott Pear Tree, deemed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be the oldest planted living fruit tree in North America.
  
  
• Essex Heritage Annual Meeting. The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) held its Annual Spring meeting today at the Shalin Lui Performance Center in Rockport. U.S. Congressman John Tierney attended the meeting and announced legislation that directs the National Park Service to conduct a study for a Salem Maritime National Historic Site boundary study proposal.  The boundary study proposal would allow the National Park Service at Salem Maritime National Historic Site to provide programs, heritage preservation and resources to a larger region.

February 2011

• Essex Heritage Scenic Byway Underway. A grassroots coalition of local and regional community leaders coordinated by the Essex National eritage Commission is working to put the historic, natural and cultural resources of Essex County on the national map!

January 2011

• Job Creation - Essex National Heritage Area. An example of the ability of National Heritage Areas to leverage the best attributes of a community and to create the most public benefit at the lowest cost can be found in the Essex National Heritage Area.

November 2010

• Annie C. Harris has been appointed to the Planning Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board. Essex National Heritage Commission Executive Director Annie C. Harris has been appointed to a prestigious two-year term on the Planning Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board by the Honorable Tony Knowles of Anchorage, Alaska, Chairman.

October 2010

• Essex Heritage Announces 2010 Pioneers in Partnership Awards. Over 100 regional dignitaries and constituents filled the newly renovated Lynch Park Carriage House (Beverly) as the Essex National Heritage Commission conducted its annual Fall business meeting, announced the recipients of its Pioneers in Partnership Awards, appointed a new slate of officers, and elected nine new commissioners on October 26, 2010.

September 2010

• Essex Heritage, a regional advocate for the quality of life on the North Shore, announces that public forums will be held in the 13 coastal communities which host the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway. Essex Heritage (The Essex National Heritage Commission), a regional advocate for the quality of life on the North Shore, announces that public forums will be held in the 13 coastal communities which host the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway. The public and business communities are invited to participate and learn about the development of the 85-mile, state-designated scenic coastal route that stretches from Lynn, through Cape Ann to Newburyport. Beginning in late October, the forums will be scheduled throughout the fall.

August 2010

• CONGRESSMAN TIERNEY MEETS WITH LOCAL TEENS HIRED FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT AT NATIONAL PARKS IN SALEM AND SAUGUS
  Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA) saw federal Recovery Act dollars at work in Massachusetts when he met with area teens involved in a paid summer employment program. A collaborative effort among three key entities, the Essex National Heritage Commission, the National Park Service, and the North Shore Workforce Investment Board (NSWIB), the F1rstJobs program, provides much needed employment to North Shore teens, while facilitating opportunities to connect underserved youth to the rich cultural, historic and natural resources within Essex County.
  
  COMMONWEALTH RECOGNIZES VALUE OF NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS
  Essex Heritage lauds Governor Deval Patrick for signing legislation important to the recognition of the five MA National Heritage Areas, including Essex Heritage. The new bill recognizes the five Areas as entities in the service of public good, directs state agencies and departments to consider the Areas in their plans and makes possible public-private partnerships for joint projects that advance their goals of environmental protection, heritage resource preservation, recreation, tourism and trail development.
  
  TRAILS & SAILS 2010 OFFERS 100+ FREE EVENTS
  Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) presents its premier partnership event: TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks and Water September 17-19 and 24-26, 2010. Now in its ninth year, Essex Heritage has partnered with non-profit and for-profit recreational organizations across Essex County to offer over 100 FREE, FUN and FAMILY-FRIENDLY events at 80+ sites that showcase our distinctive regional heritage.
  
  Friendship of Salem to Pilot Passenger Sails Labor Day Weekend
  After years of exhaustive planning and training, Salem Maritime National Historic Site Superintendent Patricia Trap, her staff and volunteer crew, are thrilled that Friendship has passed rigorous Coast Guard sea trials, attaining certification to carry commercial passengers
  
  FRIENDSHIP SALES - Calendar Listing
  Essex Heritage and the National Park Service will hold the inaugural passenger sail of tall ship,
  Friendship of Salem, Labor Day Weekend, September 4 & 5, 2010. The vessel will travel to and
  participate in the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival.

July 2010

• TEENS HIRED FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT THROUGH F1RSTJOBS PROGRAM
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) and the National Park Service are collaborating with the North Shore Workforce Investment Board’s (NSWIB) F1rstJobs program to provide paid summer jobs to teens at national park units in Salem and Saugus. The summer jobs provide much needed employment to North Shore teens while facilitating opportunities to connect underserved youth to the rich cultural, historic and natural resources within Essex County.

June 2010

• HOUSE CAUCUS ANNOUNCMENT
  The Essex National Heritage Commission, a regional advocate for the quality of life and sustainable development on the North Shore joined its sister Heritage Area organizations across the country in a rally and press event on U.S. Capitol grounds on Tuesday, June 15.
  
  SCENIC BYWAY PLANNING SPURS ACTION
  Interest and participation in the long-term sustainability of the 85-mile Essex Heritage Scenic Byway continues to grow following a springtime series of local meetings involving 13 Essex County communities.
  
  ESSEX HERITAGE ELECTS JACK GOOD TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES
  The Essex National Heritage Commission Board of Trustees recently elected Jack Good, 1st Vice President, Danversbank to serve a three year term.

May 2010

• ESSEX HERITAGE ANNOUNCES 12th ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT RECIPIENTS, WELCOMES NEW COMMISSIONERS AT SPRING MEETING
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) held its Annual Spring meeting in Salisbury today, showcasing current Heritage Area initiatives including regional recreational trail development, welcoming newly elected members of the Commission and naming recipients of the 12th annual Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program.
  
  ESSEX HERITAGE LEADERS HONORED WITH 2010 PROFILE IN PRESERVATION AWARDS
  Essex Heritage (The Essex National Heritage Commission/ENHC), is pleased to announce that Preservation Massachusetts has named several individuals affiliated with the organization, among 25 recipients of the inaugural Profiles in Preservation Award. The honors were bestowed upon state-wide leaders in the historic preservation movement at its 25th Anniversary Event in Boston on Wednesday, May 5th.
  
  THREE LOCAL LEADERS HONORED WITH 2010 ESSEX HERITAGE HERO AWARD
  On May 20th, The Essex National Heritage Commission, will once again celebrate our region’s unique cultural heritage, when in partnership with the National Park Service, they present the Essex Heritage Hero Awards, an evening celebrating the lifelong civic engagement and accomplishments of three distinguished regional heroes: Nicholas Costello, Amesbury; Maria Miles, Salisbury; Byron Matthews, Newburyport

April 2010

• Essex Heritage Seeks Host Site Registration for Premier Partnership Event
  The Essex National Heritage Commission is asking for community support to send an important message to Congress. The message … “Now is not the time to cut back on programs that not only save America’s heritage but save and create America’s jobs!”
  
  ESSEX HERITAGE URGES COMMUNITY PARTICPATION TO SAVE AMERICA’S HERITAGE
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) will present its ninth annual TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water, September 17-19 and September 24-26, 2010. Designed to showcase the unique array of historic, cultural, and natural resources within the Essex National Heritage Area, the weekends include more than 100 FREE events spread out over 50+ locations throughout Essex County. A call is being issued to all heritage non-profit and community organizations, as well as recreation- and heritage tourism-based businesses, to participate as site hosts.
  

February 2010

• Essex Heritage 2010 Photo Safaris and Photo Contest
  Calling all photo enthusiasts for an expedition deep into the Essex National Heritage Area! With a state-of-the-art digital camera in hand, explore four unique and stunning Essex National Heritage Area landscapes and historic sites. Equipped with all the latest camera gear from Canon, Nikon, Olympus or Tamron, provided by Hunt's Photo & Video, and personally coached by Hunt's technical experts and professional photographers, you'll be poised to capture that award-winning image. Ready to embark? Registration is now open to participate in the Essex Heritage Photo Safari program.
  

January 2010

• Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program Restored
  Essex Heritage (The Essex National Heritage Commission), in its tradition of celebrating our region’s unique cultural heritage, announced today that it will once again offer matching seed grants to Essex County organizations through its popular Partnership Grant Program. Suspended in 2009 due to budget constraints, the organization is fulfilling a strategic priority by providing financial assistance to those organizations that steward the region's nationally significant heritage. Essex Heritage is currently accepting on-line proposals from municipalities and qualified nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that support Essex Heritage's mission to preserve and promote the historic, cultural, and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area.
  
  Essex Heritage Municipal Leadership Breakfast Held
  A broad cross section of regional elected officials and business leaders representing a majority of County's cities and towns, gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Peabody for an update on Essex Heritage activities and strategic priorities on Monday morning. The audience also received a federal update from Congressman John F. Tierney, the meeting's keynote speaker. Attendees included Mayors, Town Managers, Administrators and Selectmen from the 34 cities and towns within the Essex National Heritage Area, State officials, regional partners and business leaders. All were provided an opportunity to network and share concerns before an after the formal program, which highlighted Essex Heritage activities past, present and future.

December 2009

• Essex Heritage Elects Charles Cullen to Board of Trustees
  The Essex National Heritage Commission Board of Trustees recently elected Charles R. Cullen, President & CEO of The Provident Bank to serve a three year term. Mr. Cullen has been an active ENHC Commissioner since October 2005, and the Provident Bank has been an enthusiastic supporter of several ENHC initiatives in the Amesbury and Greater Newburyport area, including the Friendship Sails! excursion in 2006. “Charlie brings a wealth of strategic experience and a keen interest in preserving and promoting the unique quality of life of the region to the Essex Heritage Board,” said ENHC President Kevin Tierney. “Essex Heritage is very grateful for the volunteer support of our Commissioners and Trustees, and we are very pleased that Mr. Cullen will lend his enthusiastic leadership to our Board,” said Essex Heritage Executive Director, Annie C. Harris.
  
  

November 2009

• Scenic Byway Planning Advances
  Regional Coalition Embraces Heritage Tourism Initiative … Support for branding and marketing the 64-mile Essex Heritage Scenic Byway gained momentum during a recent series of local meetings involving 13 Essex County communities. During planning meetings held throughout the early fall, stakeholders representing a wide variety of interests, such as representatives of local government, chambers of commerce, heritage and natural resource sites and civic organizations, identified and discussed the key historic, natural, and scenic qualities that characterize the state designated North Shore coastal route. The information gathered during the meetings is being used to help prepare a corridor management plan for the byway.

• Essex Heritage Announces Winners of 2009 Photo Contest
  Salem Maritime, The Crane Estate, Glen Magna, Halibut Point State Park . . . Essex County photographers searched out the best and most beautiful locations for their award-winning submissions to this year’s Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest. Sponsored by Essex Heritage and Hunt’s Photo and Video, the contest winners were announced this week and will be presented with their awards on December 10 at 5:30pm at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center in Salem.

October 2009

• Essex Heritage Announces 2009 Pioneer in Partnership Awards 
  Over 100 regional dignitaries and constituents filled the Community House of Hamilton & Wenham (Hamilton) as the Essex National Heritage Commission conducted its annual Fall business meeting, announced the recipients of its Pioneer in Partnership awards, appointed a new slate of officers, and elected thirteen new commissioners on October 20, 2009.

September 2009

• National Parks Second Century Commission Commends Strength of Heritage Area Program
  Essex Heritage (The Essex National Heritage Commission), in its tradition of celebrating our region’s unique cultural heritage, announced the release of the report of the National Parks Second Century Commission: “Advancing The National Park Idea”. The findings urge specific actions by the President, Congress and National Park Service to celebrate the strengths and address the challenges facing the National Park Service (NPS) in advance of its 2016 Centennial. Among the recommendations, The Second Century Commission’s report favored the inclusion of the National Heritage Area model as part of long-range strategy, with secure base funding, to advance the National Park Service mission of education, heritage preservation and resource stewardship in the next century.

• First Bloom Program For Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
  Essex Heritage, in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem (BGCGS), announced today that they received a $20,000 grant from the National Park Foundation to fund the popular First Bloom Program at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. This year’s grant reinforces similar funding received in 2008 for a First Bloom Program at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. First Bloom is a national conservation education program that reaches out to urban youth in their communities to teach them the science of native plants, encouraging them to protect the environment in America’s celebrated national parks and in their own backyards. “The grant will allow National Park Rangers and educators to connect children, grades 4-6 to the natural world”, said Patricia S. Trap, Superintendent of the NPS sites in Salem and Saugus. “Their project will help restore natural habitats at our Park site, and will strive to instill the National Park Service ethic of environmental stewardship among the team of Boys & Girls Club participants.”

August 2009

• TRAILS & SAILS 2009 Offers Over 100 FREE Events
  Momentum is building as the Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) finalizes plans to present its eighth annual Trails & Sails 2009, for the first time, spread over two weekends. Explore the land, sea and shores of Essex County onSeptember 18-20 and 25-27, 2009. Partnering with Essex County heritage non-profit and for-profit organizations, Essex Heritage will offer over 100 FREE events in a unique assortment of historic, cultural and natural sites. All events are designed to give residents and visitors a taste of the region’s distinctive history, breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems! For a full listing of events, visit: www.trailsandsails.org, where participants can pre-register, enter a raffle for an overnight hotel stay and design a personalized itinerary on-line.

July 2009

• Essex Heritage Scenic Byway
  Travelers along the 64-mile Essex Heritage Scenic Byway experience much of what New England has to offer: historic seaports, colonial era farms, village and city centers, and a wealth of period architecture. Designated by the Commonwealth as a state scenic byway for its significant scenic, historic and natural resources, the byway traverses 13 communities set against the backdrop of the rocky coast and The Great Marsh, New England's largest salt marsh. The byway is anchored at each end by the gateway cities of Lynn and Newburyport, and passes through the Essex National Heritage Area communities of Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Beverly, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury. 

June 2009

• Maritime Guide
  Staying close to home this summer? Looking for something fun to do?Celebrate the coast! The Essex National Heritage Commission has published a new, free brochure, The Maritime Guide - Exploring the Coast of Essex County, highlighting the many must-see attractions along Boston’s North Shore. Use this guide to explore lighthouses, beaches, historic homesand much more!

May 2009

• Photo Safari
  Calling all photo enthusiasts for an expedition into the historic wharves of Salem on May 16th! You will be equipped with the latest and greatest camera gear from Olympus, provided by Hunt’s Photo & Video, and personally coached by Lou Manna, an award winning Olympus Visionary Photographer. Start the Photo Safari season with this ramble around Salem’s three original historic wharves- Derby, Hatch's and Central, and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to see the Friendship, a replica of a 1797 three-masted, square rigged "East Indiaman" merchant ship used to open international trade.
• Heritage Hero Award
  Someone once wrote the following about Thomas P. Costin Jr.: “Tom Costin has already accomplished far more than most men in public life. And he hasn’t stopped. There will be more to come in the many days that lie ahead.”
• Best Idea Grant
  Essex Heritage, in its tradition of celebrating our region’s unique cultural heritage, is pleased to report that the National Park Foundation awarded Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the Essex National Heritage Area one of thirty-five America’s Best Idea grants. The focus of these grants, awarded to National Parks throughout the country, is to extend the reach of the important lessons offered in Ken Burns’ documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” and to reach traditionally underserved groups and inspire their future stewardship of our National Parks.

April 2009

• Annual Spring Meeting Held in Newburport
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) welcomed
  several state and local elected officials to its annual Spring meeting, held on April 28 at the historic Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport. During the business portion of the session, members elected three new commissioners, announced the recipients of Special Recognition awards and enthusiastically announced the launch of the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway planning initiative.

March 2009

• Photo Safaris
  Calling all photo enthusiasts for an expedition deep into the Essex National Heritage Area! With a state-of-the-art digital camera in hand, you could capture sea birds soaring over the beaten bluffs of Rockport and swooping down on the historic wharves of Salem; the sun setting over the dunes at Crane’s Beach or the waterwheels churning at the historic Saugus Iron Works. You’ll be equipped with all the latest camera gear from Canon, Nikon, Olympus or Tamron, provided by Hunt’s Photo & Video, and personally coached by Hunt’s technical experts. You’ll be poised, all set to capture that award-winning image.

 

November 2008

• Essex Heritage Announces Winners of 2008 Photo Contest
  Derby Wharf, Lighthouse Beach, Strawberry Hill Trail . . . Essex County photographers searched out the best and most beautiful locations for their awardwinning submissions to this year’s Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest. Sponsored by Essex Heritage and Hunt’s Photo and Video, the contest winners were announced this week and presented with their awards today at the National Park Service Salem Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA)
• Essex Heritage Announces 2008 Pioneer in Partnership Awards
  Over 100 regional dignitaries and constituents filled Emerson Hall (Topsfield) as Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission or ENHC) appointed a new slate of officers, elected eleven new commissioners and announced the winners of its Pioneer in Partnership and Special Recognition awards at its annual meeting, held on October 21, 2008. Also awarded were three National Park Service Recognition Awards presented by Patricia Trap, Superintendent of Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites, and Curtis White, Lead Park Ranger.

October 2008

• National Parks Second Century Visit
  The National Parks Second Century Commission, a prestigious panel formed in
  August 2008 to examine the national parks today and chart a vision for their future, will be visiting Lowell National Historical Park and the Essex National Heritage Area on October 27 and 28, 2008.
  
  Essex LINCS Kicks Off Second Year
  Essex LINCs (Local History In a National Context) held its first workshop on October 2, 2008 at National Archives in Waltham MA, kicking off its second year of programming.
  
  TRAILS & SAILS WEEKEND 2008 Wrapup
  All was not a washout for Essex Heritage’s seventh annual TRAILS & SAILS 2008: A Weekend to GO! Experience Essex Heritage, which was held September 26 – 28, 2008. While the weather dealt a 1-2 punch with a very wet combination of nor’easter and tropical storm Kyle, throughout the 500 square miles of the Essex National Heritage Area, TRAILS & SAILS attendees gained a totally unique perspective on Essex Heritage
  

 

September 2008

• Essex Heritage Explorers Kickoff Fall Native American Program
  Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission), in its tradition of celebrating our region’s unique cultural heritage, launched its fall Explorers program by partnering with Glenn Mairo of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society for a tribute to Masconomet.
  
  UPPER MERRIMACK VALLEY to Offer 29 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  This year, in an effort to reach out to its regional partners, Essex Heritage has joined forces with ArtsFest Merrimack Valley, Lawrence Heritage State Park, Lawrence History Center, Methuen Historical Society and American Community Think Tank to showcase a cluster of 29 events in a unique array of historic, cultural and natural sites within the Upper Merrimack section of the Essex National Heritage Area.
  
  THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY to Offer 26 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  This year, in an effort to reach out to its regional partners, Essex Heritage has joined forces with Salem Main Streets, Peabody Essex Museum, The National Park Service, among others to showcase a cluster of 26 events to take place at a unique array of historic, cultural and natural sites within the “Southern Gateway” of the Essex National Heritage Area.

• LOWER MERRIMACK VALLEY to Offer 32 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  This year, in an effort to reach out to its regional partners, Essex Heritage has joined forces with Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, Town of Amesbury, ArtsFest Merrimack Valley and the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce to showcase a cluster of 32 events taking place in a unique array of historic, cultural, and natural sites within the Lower Merrimack section of the Essex National Heritage Area.
  
  ESSEX HERITAGE to Offcer 200 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  Momentum is building as Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission) finalizes its plans to present its seventh annual TRAILS & SAILS 2008: A Weekend to GO! Experience Essex Heritage, September 26 - 28.
  
  CAPE ANN to Offer 20 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  Essex Heritage has joined forces with several organizations in the Cape Ann area including the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center and the City of Gloucester to offer 20 FREE events in a unique array of historic, cultural and natural sites within this beautiful Essex National Heritage Area.
  
  The Heart of Essex County Offering 35 Free Events for TRAILS & SAILS 2008
  Momentum is building as Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission) finalizes its plans to present its seventh annual TRAILS & SAILS 2008: A Weekend to GO! Experience Essex Heritage, September 26 - 28.
  

August 2008

• Essex Heritage and Hunt's to Co-Host Photo Safaris
  Camera Enthusiasts Invited to Embark on Photo Adventures.

July 2008

• TRAILS & SAILS 2008: Over 200 Free Events Announced
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) presents its seventh annual TRAILS & SAILS: A Weekend to GO! Experience Essex Heritage, September 26 - 28, 2008. Designed to showcase the unique array of historic, cultural, and natural resources within the Essex National Heritage Area, the weekend includes more than 200 FREE! events spread out over 135 locations throughout Essex County.
  

June 2008

• Essex Heritage Announces 11th Annual Partnership Grant Program Winners
  Just in time for summer, the Essex National Heritage Commission has published a new free brochure - Guide to the Great Outdoors - highlighting fifty-two of the Essex National Heritage Area’s greatest recreational sites.
  
  Free Guide to Exploring the Great Outdoors in the North Shore and Merrimack Valley
  Just in time for summer, the Essex National Heritage Commission has published a new free brochure - Guide to the Great Outdoors - highlighting fifty-two of the Essex National Heritage Area’s greatest recreational sites.
  
  Essex Heritage and Hunt Launch Photo Safari
  Essex Heritage’s Photo Safari program. Sponsored by four major camera and lens companies and co-hosted by Essex Heritage and New England’s largest photography retailer, Hunt’s Photo & Video of Melrose, MA, the Photo Safaris combine historic exploration with modern-day digital photography advances

May 2008

• NEW PATHWAYS TO HISTORY
  Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site will celebrate its Grand Reopening on May 16 and 17, 2008, marking the achievement of several major construction projects.

April 2008

• NPS REGIONAL VISITORS CENTER EXHIBITS AWARD-WINNING ESSEX HERITAGE AREA IMAGES
  As ongoing partners in the stewardship of the Essex National Heritage Area, the National Park Service (NPS) and the Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) have opened an exhibit of award-winning images from the 2007 Essex Heritage Photography Contest in the NPS Regional Visitors Center, Salem.
  
  

January 2008

• ESSEX HERITAGE ANNOUNCES 2008 PARTNERSHIP GRANTS PROGRAM
  The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) has announced that it is accepting applications for its 2008 Partnership Grant Program.

December 2007

• Annual Appeal
  Essex National Heritage Commission announces key milestones for 2007. Seeks Community Support for Annual Appeal
• 2007 Photo Contest Winners
  From twinkling lights along the Lawrence Canal to a lone snowy egret in the Great Marsh, the award-winning entries of this year’s Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) Photo Contest captured the true essence of our Essex National Heritage Area. Sponsored by Hunt’s Photo and Video, and coordinated in conjunction with the Essex Heritage Photo Safari Program, this annual contest announced its winners this week.
• EssexHeritage supports new VoTech School
  We at the Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) have been following with great interest the current plan to merge North Shore Regional Vocational Technical School in Middleton, Essex Agricultural and Technical School in Danvers and the Peabody Vocational School into a new facility located on 166 acres adjacent to the Essex Agricultural School and the North Shore Community College campus (near the junction of Routes 1 and 62 in Danvers). The Essex National Heritage Commission wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supports this new $140 million dollar state-of-the-art facility that is scheduled to open in 2012.
  
  
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