The Essex National Heritage Area was designated by US Congress due to its abundance of historic, cultural, and natural resources related to three nationally significant themes, or "trails": Early Settlement Trail , Maritime Trail, and Industrial Trail. These themes are loosely formed into trails that cross the region.

Early Settlement Trail

Maritime Trail

Industrial Trail

Explore the Industrial Trail

As international trade moved to deeper ports outside the Area, new sources of prosperity were sought. Wealth earned from the sea was soon invested in manufacturing and it transformed the cottage based shoe and textile industries into mighty manufacturing giants, harnessing the local rivers for power. News of manufacturing jobs that offered a foothold into America spread across the world, and immigrants flooded into the Area. Soon, the boot and shoe industry grew until it employed more people than any other industry in Massachusetts. Lynn became the largest producer of women's shoes in America; Peabody emerged as the nation's leather processing center; Lawrence grew into the world's largest producer of wool; Massachusetts emerged as one of the most heavily industrialized areas in the world, second only to England. The great prosperity had its price. The deplorable conditions in the mills caused workers to protest. And it was in this Area that some of the first labor strikes took place.

Amesbury
• Amesbury and Salisbury Mills Village Historic District
  Significant for its associations with the 19th century textile industry, it embodies the distinctive character of a mid-19th century industrial community


Andover
• Andover Historical Society
  Collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets documents and artifacts reflecting the life of Andover and its people from the 17th century to the present



• Shawsheen Village Historic District
  A model community of manufacturing, residential, commercial and recreational facilities in the popular classical revival style of architecture.


Beverly
• United Shoe Machinery Co.
  Built in 1903-06, it is ranked among architectural historians as one of the most significant industrial landmarks in the country.
  
  
Haverhill
• Washington Street Shoe District
  Has been recognized as one of the finest examples of a complete street of Queen Ann industrial architecture in America.


Lawrence
• Lawrence History Center: Immigrant City Archives and Museum Established in 1978 to preserve the history of Lawrence and its people, it is the official repository for all Lawrence city records.
  
  
  
  
• North Canal Historic District
  The district is comprised of 70 properties that feature mills, boarding houses, locks, and bridges, the North Canal, the Great Stone Dam and the Immigrant City Archives.
  
  
Lynn
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum
  The museum features memorabilia from the Revolutionary War through the Korean War.



• Lynn Heritage State Park Visitor Center
  This ENHC Visitor Center provides information about Lynn, exhibits including innovative audio-visual programs historic artifacts.



• Lynn Museum
  Exhibiting furniture, artwork and everyday objects of the 1770's through the 1870's.



• Mary Baker Eddy Historic Home
  This is the first home owned by Mary Baker Eddy where she wrote "Science and Health", her primary work, in 1875.
  
  
Methuen
• Methuen Memorial Organ Hall
  Features the first concert organ in the U.S.
  
  
• Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District
  Reflects the major influences that shaped Methuen's architecture and economy.
  
  
Peabody
• George Peabody House Civic Center
  A recently restored house and community cultural center features an ENHC Visitor Center with information on Peabody and the surrounding area and exhibits on Peabody's tannery history.


Salem
• Peabody Essex Museum
  A museum of international art and culture, the PEM is America's oldest continually operated museum.