As 2017 comes to a close, Essex Heritage warmly reflects on the following Heritage Area highlights: Blazing the Trail, Leading the Future, Planting the Seed, and so much more. 2017 was an exciting year but we are looking forward to all that 2018 has to offer too!
Blazing the Trail –
On Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, more than 300 people from local, regional, state and national heritage-related organizations and businesses attended our 20th Anniversary Gala: Toast to the Trailblazers. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was among those in attendance. Secretary Kerry played a key role in passing the federal legislation designating the Essex National Heritage Area. During his “toast” Secretary Kerry said that “Twenty years of community commitment and effort is a big deal in today’s world… [Essex Heritage has] done what it was set up to do. “It has a wonderful impact on the community in so many different ways.” Read the Salem News article covering this event.
Leading the Future –
Our youth jobs program, Future Leaders, had an incredibly successful summer working at the two local national parks, as well as at Appleton Farms, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, and Bakers Island Light Station. The youth also facilitated the annual NPS Youth Summit in Boston, and had a number of successful civics-oriented field trips. Read the Salem Gazette’s article about the program!
Planting the Seed –
It was a distinct honor to have North Shore Magazine’s September Issue highlight the wonderful project work associated with Essex Heritage’s Park for Every Classroom program! Teachers were interviewed as well as our very own Education staff!
And the award goes to –
Essex Heritage is pleased to share that our own Kathryn Rutkowski was honored during the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony with the 2017 Frontline Hospitality Award! This award is given to someone who goes above and beyond in providing excellent customer service to tourists looking to explore the region. As the Essex Heritage Manager in the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, Kathryn’s friendliness, knowledge and passion for local history has helped set the perfect tone for countless visits to the north shore. Congratulations Kathryn!
