Essex National Heritage Area

Fall Annual Meeting in Beverly
2025-10-16 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Lynch Park, 55 Ober, Beverly, MA, 01915
Join us for a morning of networking & regional engagement! The meeting will be held in the Carriage House at Lynch Park, Beverly on Thursday, October 16 from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Attendees are welcome to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for networking and coffee.
The agenda will include an update on what’s happening in the Heritage Area, voting in new Commissioners, special awards, and more.
Please register HERE.
Many thanks to Lynch Park for hosting!

Misery Island Mushroom Walk
2025-09-26 16:30 - 19:00, 2025-06-27 16:30 - 19:00 | MA
Explore the fungi of Great Misery Island.
Join us for a guided mushroom walk for all those interested in discovering fungi growing on the Misery Island of the coast of Beverly/Salem. This unique island environment hosts conifer and hardwood trees that provide background to growing fungi. Fungi don’t stop there. Animals nesting and living on this island contribute in a major way to fungi/lichens growth on stone ruins of the island. Join us on an exploratory walk around the island with Jana Harris of Essex Forays, certified in Wild Mushroom Food Safety and member of Boston Mycological Club. Jana will ID mushrooms as we go and learn about edible and nonedible species. The trip will last about 2.5 hrs and will give participants a chance to look close up at mushroom species that thrive in this secluded environment. Depending on weather there will be different types of mushrooms to explore.
Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants, garden gloves, bring a water bottle, tick and bug repellent, ID field guide and basket (optional). Please be aware that there is a lot of poison ivy off the trails on the island so gloves and long pants are highly suggested.
BUY TICKETS
Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.
Tickets:

Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! (A discount code will be provided on membership confirmation letter.)

Are there restrictions on who can go?
YES. All passengers must be:
At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp and the rugged island terrain without assistance.
Please read through all the FAQ’s and our Cancellation Policy before purchasing tickets.

Trails & Sails 2025
2025-09-13 - 2025-09-28 | MA
Uncover extraordinary stories and landscapes across Essex County during Trails & Sails! This 16-day event series, organized by Essex Heritage, connects you to authentic experiences that reveal what makes this region truly unique — from the historic events that helped shaped America’s founding to the winding waterways and trails that showcase our natural beauty.
With more than 200 completely FREE events spanning all 34 cities and towns of Essex County, there’s never been a better time to explore your own backyard. Visit trailsandsails.org for the complete schedule and discover why this year’s program is bigger and better than ever.

Heritage Friend Event with the Museum of Printing
2025-09-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Private: 15 Thornton Ave, 15 Thornton Avenue, Haverhill, MA, 01832, United States
Join Essex Heritage for a special evening celebrating the history of the printed word.

Join Essex Heritage for a special evening celebrating the history of the printed word. We’re thrilled to invite you to the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, a fantastic non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of graphic arts, typesetting, and printing technologies.
Explore their galleries and exhibits showcasing one of the world’s largest collections of printing hardware and ephemera. The museum also has multiple libraries and a Bible room featuring many rare treasures such as a 1904 Tissot Bible, the first Bible printed with full-color illustrations.
Guests will discover how print shaped culture, communication, and commerce from the earliest days of movable type to modern digital design. You’ll even see an authentic replica of an English Common Press, the kind of wooden hand-press that was used during the American Revolution!
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the roots of the printed page, this is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with the region’s creative and industrial heritage.
This event is open to Essex Heritage members FREE of charge but registration is required. Space is limited. Non-member registration is $5.00 per person. Light refreshments will be provided.

Shipwrecks of Salem Sound with Captain Ray Bates Jr.
2025-08-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Salem Ferry Dock, 10 Blaney St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us for an exciting harbor tour focused on the infamous shipwrecks of Salem Sound with Captain Ray Bates, Jr.

Come aboard Naumkeag with lifelong historian, author, and local diver, Captain Ray Bates, Jr., for a harbor tour to visit the sites and hear the stories of the many shipwrecks of Salem Sound. Captain Bates has been exploring shipwrecks since 1969 and has written several books on the maritime disasters that have occurred along Boston’s North Shore and Cape Ann. Essex Heritage is thrilled to partner with Ray, as he leads a tour sharing and locating the shipwrecks along the coast of Salem, Beverly and Marblehead, allowing passengers to truly “dig into the past and unearth long-lost stories for themselves.”
All passengers will receive a signed copy of Ray’s book, Shipwrecks North of Boston: Volume 1 , Salem Bay.
Ray Bates will have both volumes of his book and prints of his shipwreck map for sale following the tour.

Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.

Tickets:

Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! (A discount code will be provided on membership confirmation letter.)

Are there restrictions on who can go?
YES. All passengers must be:

At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp and the rugged island terrain without assistance.

Please read through all the FAQ’s and our Cancellation Policy before purchasing tickets.

Cruising Salem Harbor with Reverend William Bentley
2025-08-15 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-07-18 16:30 - 18:00 | MA
During this boat tour follow up to historian Donald Friary’s virtual presentation of Reverend William Bentley’s Salem Harbor, you’ll explore the harbor with Reverend Bentley and learn more about the way he experienced it. According to his diary, Reverend William Bentley seemed to be everywhere.
He saw Salem’s ship captains departing for and returning from voyages around the world to bring exotic goods and new ideas to their home port. Mr. Bentley saw beached whales, shipwrecks, a seven-foot shark, seals and porpoises, lobsters and crabs. He noted ropewalks, shipyards, cooperages, and fish flakes, as well as privateers and smugglers. He was saddened by drownings and marveled at the frozen harbor. He knew all the islands—Bakers, the Miseries, Orne’s, Eagle, Cat, Ram—and impediments to navigation—Half-Way Rock, Kettle Bottom, Abbott’s Rocks, Bowditch’s Ledge.
BUY TICKETS
Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.
Tickets:
Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! (A discount code was provided in membership confirmation letter)
Are there restrictions on who can go?
YES. All passengers must be:
At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp without assistance.
Please read through all the FAQ’s and our Cancellation Policy before purchasing tickets.

Wild Edibles at Bakers Island Light
2025-07-25 10:00 - 14:00 | MA
Come join naturalist and wild foods enthusiast, Russ Cohen on a special edible excursion out to Bakers Island Light Station, a historic property owned by Essex Heritage.
This 4-hour special trip includes the boat ride aboard Naumkeag and a walking tour of the property with expert Russ Cohen pointing out special species along the trails including the kind you can snack on! Before departing for the main land, enjoy sumac-ade (a natural alternative to Kool-Aid) and a wild goodie or two made by Russ Cohen himself! The wild edibles tour includes over 3 dozen species of edible wild plants that have existed on the island for some time. Also expect to encounter at least six of the additional native wild edible species that were planted last summer.
BUY TICKETS
Please Note:

The lighthouse cannot be climbed at this time.
The rest of the island aside from the 10 acre Light Station is privately owned and all visitors must stay within the 10 acre boundaries.
Guests will not be permitted to visit the Assistant Keeper’s House; that is only accessible to Essex Heritage Members who have booked an overnight stay.
Please read through all the FAQ’s and our Cancellation Policy before purchasing tickets.

Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.
Tickets:

Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! (A discount code will be provided on membership confirmation letter.)

What You Need To Know Before You Go! Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the trip? About 4 hours round-trip
Are there restrictions on who can go? All passengers must be:

At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp without assistance.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing and rubber-soled shoes. Flip-flops are not recommended; NO heels. IMPORTANT: It’s colder on the water and there is no shelter from the weather on our open boat. Bring an extra layer!
What should I bring?
Do not bring more than you want to carry; nothing can be left/stored on the boat while we are disembarked. Items left on the Island cannot be retrieved until the next trip which could be anywhere from 2-5 days. Essex Heritage does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen personal property.
Is there food or drinking water?
Wild edibles may be available to nibble and sip on during this adventure but, it won’t be a full lunch. There will be a scheduled break for lunch, so please pack a sandwich or snacks, if you think you will need it, and make sure to pack water.
Are there bathroom facilities?
The bathroom facilities are limited. There are bathrooms at the Salem Ferry dock, but there are no bathrooms on the boat. Once on the island, there are only composting toilets.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is NOT permitted on the boat or anywhere on the island at all.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are NOT permitted on our boat, with the exception of certified service animals defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA.
Where do I park?
While there are free parking spots at Blaney Street parking is NOT always guaranteed so plan accordingly. (South Harbor Garage at 10 Congress Street is the next closest public lot but they charge an hourly rate, and are a 1/2 mile walk to the dock.)
What if it rains or is stormy?
Boat trips depend on the weather. Naumkeag has no rain or sun cover on it.
Is there a bathroom onboard?
There are no bathrooms on the boat, but there are restrooms at the Salem Ferry Visitor Center which can be used directly before and after the tour.
What is the Cancellation Policy?

If Essex Heritage cancels the boat trip: If it is too rainy or stormy or the seas are too rough, and Essex Heritage has to cancel the boat trip, you will be fully refunded the cost of your ticket
If ticket holder cancels: If you cancel because you think it is too sunny, rainy, windy or whatever, but the boat still goes, tickets are non-refundable.

How will I know if my tour has been cancelled? Essex Heritage staff will do our best to email all ticketed passengers in advance if your trip has been cancelled. We will also keep an updated weather advisory line at 978-998-2188.
Questions?
Please call Essex Heritage’s Visitor Information Desk (located in the National Park Service Visitor Center) at 978-224-2036. The Visitor Information Desk is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM.
Essex Heritage does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen personal property.

Treasure Islands of Salem Sound with Chris Leahy
2025-07-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | MA
Naturalist Chris Leahy will be leading this nautical exploration of the marine habits of Salem Sound and help you identify all the birds you’ll see along the way. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Salem Harbor and learn more about the amazing array of bird species who call the north shore home during the summer months.
BUY TICKETS
Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.
Tickets
Please read all the information listed below before purchasing your ticket(s).

Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! Not a member? Sign up here: essexheritage.org/membership

Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.
What You Need To Know Before You Go! Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the trip? About 2 hours round-trip
Are there restrictions on who can go? All passengers must be:

At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp without assistance.

What if it rains or is stormy?
Boat trips depend on the weather. Naumkeag has no rain or sun cover on it.
Is there a bathroom onboard?
There are no bathrooms on the boat, but there are restrooms at the Salem Ferry Visitor Center which can be used directly before and after the tour.
What is the Cancellation Policy?

If Essex Heritage cancels the boat trip: If it is too rainy or stormy or the seas are too rough, and Essex Heritage has to cancel the boat trip, you will be fully refunded the cost of your ticket
If ticket holder cancels: If you cancel because you think it is too sunny, rainy, windy or whatever, but the boat still goes, tickets are non-refundable.

How will I know if my tour has been cancelled? Essex Heritage staff will do our best to email all ticketed passengers in advance if your trip has been cancelled. We will also keep an updated weather advisory line at 978-998-2188.
Questions?
Please call Essex Heritage’s Visitor Information Desk (located in the National Park Service Visitor Center) at 978-224-2036. The Visitor Information Desk is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM.
Essex Heritage does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen personal property.

Wild Edibles at Bakers Island Light
2025-06-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Salem Ferry Dock, 10 Blaney St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join naturalist and wild foods enthusiast Russ Cohen on a special edible excursion at Bakers Island Light.

Explore Wild Edibles at Bakers Island Light Station
Come join naturalist and wild foods enthusiast, Russ Cohen on a special edible excursion out to Bakers Island Light Station, a historic property owned by Essex Heritage.
This 4-hour special trip includes the boat ride aboard Naumkeag and a walking tour of the property with expert Russ Cohen pointing out special species along the trails including the kind you can snack on! Before departing for the main land, enjoy sumac-ade (a natural alternative to Kool-Aid) and a wild goodie or two made by Russ Cohen himself! The wild edibles tour includes over 3 dozen species of edible wild plants that have existed on the island for some time. Also expect to encounter at least six of the additional native wild edible species that were planted last summer.
BUY TICKETS
Please Note:

The lighthouse cannot be climbed at this time.
The rest of the island aside from the 10 acre Light Station is privately owned and all visitors must stay within the 10 acre boundaries.
Guests will not be permitted to visit the Assistant Keeper’s House; that is only accessible to Essex Heritage Members who have booked an overnight stay.
Please read through all the FAQ’s and our Cancellation Policy before purchasing tickets.

Boat Departure Location: Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem MA 01970.

Tickets:

Adults: $40
Children (4-12 yr): $25
Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount! (A discount code will be provided on membership confirmation letter.)

Are there restrictions on who can go?
YES. All passengers must be:

At least 4 years old (No infants; in arms or baby carriers)
Capable of negotiating the boat ramp and the rugged island terrain without assistance.

Heritage Friend Event with The Trustees at Long Hill - NEW DATE
2025-06-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Long Hill, 576 Essex Street, Beverly, 01915, United States
NEW DATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have rescheduled this event to June 12. Thank you very much for your understanding.

Join Essex Heritage for a Heritage Friend Event at Long Hill in Beverly, hosted in partnership with The Trustees. Explore the Sedgwick estate, featuring a Federal-style house and enchanting gardens in peak season designed by Mabel Cabot Sedgwick and Marjorie Russell Sedgwick. Stroll through the diverse plantings and hear about the estate’s rich history from Pilar Garro, Director of the Long Hill Portfolio. This event offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the North Shore’s most beautiful properties while enjoying some light refreshments.
Guests who arrive by 5:45 pm will be taken through the house for a brief first-floor tour, refreshments will be available under the tent in the garden.
This event is open to Essex Heritage members FREE of charge but registration is required. Space is limited. Non-member registration is $5.00 per person. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is currently at capacity, but you can add your name to the waitlist HERE.
Parking Note: There are 3 ADA accessible parking spaces close to the house. We ask that those who can walk a short distance please use the parking lot which is three quarters of the way up the hill.

Bakers Island Light Station: Preservation and Perseverance
2025-06-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum, 10 Union Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, 01944, United States
Join us as we explore both the history and future of this iconic maritime landmark that has guided vessels through Salem Sound since 1791.

Join Essex Heritage and the Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum for a special presentation celebrating 10 years of public access to Bakers Island Light Station. This engaging evening will explore both the history and future of this iconic maritime landmark that has guided vessels through Salem Sound since 1791.
Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage will share the fascinating journey of Essex Heritage’s stewardship of the light station since acquiring the property from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2014. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of preserving this remote maritime treasure, the educational programs developed, and the significant restoration work completed over the past decade.
With over 31 years of experience in historic restoration and 20 lighthouse projects for the U.S. Coast Guard, preservation mason Martin J. Nally will provide a fascinating look at the technical aspects of lighthouse preservation.
This summer, Essex Heritage will undertake a critical masonry restoration project at the light station. The work will include repointing the interior brickwork of the 1820 lighthouse tower and restoring three historic brick chimneys on the keeper’s houses. This presentation offers a unique opportunity to learn about this specialized preservation work before it begins.
This free event is limited to 50 attendees. Advance registration is required.

For more information about visiting Bakers Island Light Station during the 2025 season, please visit HERE
For questions about this event, please contact: info@essexheritage.org or call 978-740-0444.

Heritage Friend Event with Phillips Library and Hawkes Collection Center - FULL
2025-05-08 17:30 - 18:30 | The Phillips Library, 306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA, 01969, United States
We’re hosting a “members only” behind-the-scenes tour of the Phillips Library and Hawkes Collection Center on May 8!
Join Dan Lipcan, Ann C. Pingree Director of the Phillips Library, and Angela Segalla, Director of the Collection Center and Collection Stewardship, for an exclusive “behind-the-scenes” tour of the Peabody Essex Museum’s (PEM) James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Collection Center in Rowley. Home to the Phillips Library and, eventually, more than 850,000 works of art and culture from the PEM’s robust collection, the Hawkes Collection Center is a state-of-the-art and ever-evolving facility. Dan and Angela will bring attendees through the structure that protects and preserves PEM’s remarkable global collection.
This free Heritage Friend Event is for Essex Heritage members only. Registration is required and we are currently at capacity for this event. You can add your name to the waitlist by emailing Heather at HeatherG@EssexHeritage.org.

The Great Debate Part 2: Patriots & Loyalists
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
The year is 1775—tensions with the British Crown are rising, and one question is on every colonist’s mind: Would you fight for independence as a Patriot or remain loyal to the British Crown as a Loyalist?
Join us as our two historians face yet another Great Debate that divided colonists and even families during the American Revolution. David Goss will argue the case for Loyalists, and Charlie Newhall will argue the case for Patriots. Both sides will defend their beliefs about freedom, loyalty, and the future of the colonies.
The debate will be moderated by David Olson former Editor-in-Chief of the Salem News
Audience members will have the chance to ask questions, challenge perspectives, and even cast their vote at the end!
CLICK HERE to Register

This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250 – an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period.

CLICK HERE t0 watch David Goss and Charlie Newhall battle it out last year at the Great Debate: Birthplace of the American Navy.

Seafaring Storytime & Craft
2025-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center for swashbuckling stories, silly songs, fun games, and a craft!
REGISTER HERE
This FREE event is presented in partnership with the Salem Public Library. It is geared towards children ages 3+ (with caregivers), but open to all. Registration is encouraged.
Enjoy this sneak peek of our maritime themed craft! Kids will be invited to make their own mini sailing ship.

Essex Heritage Spring Annual Meeting
2025-04-10 08:30 - 10:00 | Hawthorne by the Sea, 153 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA, United States
Join us for a morning of networking & regional engagement! The meeting will be held at Hawthorne by the Sea (153 Humphrey Street, Swampscott) on Thursday, April 10 from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Attendees are welcome to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for networking and coffee.
The agenda will include an update on exciting plans for Hawthorne by the Sea, a major acquisition and public facility initiative by the Town of Swampscott; voting in new Commissioners; special regional updates; and more.
Many thanks to the Town of Swampscott and Hawthorne by the Sea for hosting!
Register HERE

Heritage Friend Event with Custom House Maritime Museum
2025-03-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Join us at the Custom House Maritime Museum to learn about Newburyport’s rich and dynamic maritime history.

Join us for our next Heritage Friend Event at the Custom House Maritime Museum and learn about the rich history of Newburyport by exploring its expansive collection of maritime artifacts displayed in multiple galleries.
This impressive building which had once been a Custom House is located in the heart of downtown Newburyport on the banks of the Merrimack River. Executive Director James Russell will welcome guests to explore the newly “re-imagined” space including the recent launch of a Kids’ Discovery Center with touch tank, models, and play space. Docents will also be available to answer questions. Enjoy light refreshments while immersing yourself in Newburyport’s fascinating past!
This event is open to Essex Heritage members FREE of charge but registration is required. Space is limited. Non-member registration is $5.00 per person.
REGISTER HERE

For the Defense and Safety of the Province: Essex County Prepares for War
2025-03-08 09:30 - 11:30 | Meredith Farm, 41 Cross Street, Topsfield, MA, 01983, United States
****THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT****
Join us for a lecture by Historian Alex Cain, followed by drilling demonstrations performed by reenactors from Danvers & Lexington.
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, Essex County entered a wartime phase that included creating minute-man companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join Alexander Cain as he discusses the county’s response to the British threat of war on the eve of Lexington and Concord.

After the lecture, attendees can stay to witness live demonstrations of the types of drills used by local militias in 1775. Reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company will demonstrate the Pickering Manual of Arms, while the Lexington Minutemen will demonstrate the 1764 Crown Manual. These demonstrations will offer a hands-on look at how militias trained and prepared for battle in the years leading up to the Revolution.
The Lecture portion will be limited to 75 participants but all are welcome to attend the drill demonstrations. Please be aware that the reenactors will be firing muskets during these demonstrations, which will result in loud booms and smoke.

Meredith Farm is a privately owned, 188-acre farm in Topsfield, which has been recently renovated. Its 1793 Barn houses an extensive private collection of artifacts related to American history; This barn is where the lecture portion will take place.

This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250. Essex County Revolution 250 is an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period.

Leslie’s Retreat: Salem on the Brink of Revolution FREE Exhibit Opening Reception & Lecture
2025-02-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
On the 250th Anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat, this National Park Service exhibit will explore why Crown soldiers under Lt. Col. Alexander Leslie came to Salem on February 26, 1775, who were the major players in the event, and how this event has been remembered and celebrated in Salem in the last 250 years.

This free exhibit will be on display starting on February 21st at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem.

The evening starts with a FREE opening reception followed by a lecture presented by Dr. Emily Murphy.

CLICK HERE to Register for the Reception

Hands-on History with Historic Beverly
2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us to learn about the often overlooked parts of local Black history and culture in the 18th century through objects, games, and dance!

Join Essex Heritage and Krystina Yeager of Historic Beverly at the Salem Visitor Center to hear the stories of local Black residents in Essex County based on new research that’s been uncovered.
Through engaging hands-on activities, we will explore parts of Black history and daily life that are often overlooked which reveal a rich culture even within enslavement. Come feel fabric samples, play period games, and even learn how to do the minuet!
Among other activities, participants will learn how to play Achi, a strategy game from West Africa, very similar to tic-tac-toe or three men’s morris.

This 45-minute program is free, family-friendly, and open to all ages but geared towards kids 7+.
Registration is strongly encouraged, space is limited.
REGISTER HERE
This family program has been made possible thanks to generous funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Essex Heritage Photo Contest Reception
2025-02-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Come celebrate the talented winner’s of the 2024 Essex Heritage Photo Contest during a special reception on Wednesday, February 12th at 5:30 pm at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center in Salem. Light refreshments will be available and the winning photos will be on display. There will be a brief awards ceremony beginning at 6:00 pm.
This event is free and open to the public, you may RSVP here.

Heritage Friend Event with the Pickering Foundation
2024-12-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Pickering House, 18 Broad Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us at the Pickering House — the oldest house in Salem and America’s oldest home, for our next Heritage Friend Event hosted by the Pickering Foundation. Built in 1660 by English settlers John and Elizabeth Pickering, this historic house has changed drastically over the last 350 years, including the addition of gables and gothic peaks.
Come and enjoy this beautiful space which will be decorated for the holidays! Guides will be available to answer questions about the fascinating artifacts and portraits on display, including Revolutionary War documents.
This event is open to Essex Heritage members FREE of charge but registration is required. Space is limited. Non-member registration is $5.00 per person. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is at capacity.
JOIN WAITLIST

Regional Education Forum at Historic Beverly
2024-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Historic Beverly, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Please join us for this FREE education forum as we spend the morning exploring innovative offerings and education partnerships at Historic Beverly. Network with other professionals in the region as we learn more about timely initiatives such as the museum’s new standing exhibit, Set at Liberty: Stories of the Enslaved People in a New England Town. Hear from Dr. André Morgan, Director of Opportunity, Access, and Equity for Beverly Public Schools, and learn how Historic Beverly is collaborating with educators to explore local history, including stories of enslavement and resistance. REGISTER today!
Please forward this invite to someone else in your organization who would be interested in attending.

Essex Heritage Fall Annual Meeting
2024-10-10 08:30 - 10:00 | Greater Lawrence Community Boating, 1 Eaton Street, Lawrence, 01843, United States
Join us for a morning of networking & regional engagement! The meeting will be held at Greater Lawrence Community Boating (1 Eaton Street, Lawrence) on Thursday, October 10 at 9:00 am. Attendees are welcome to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for networking and coffee.
The agenda will include an update on what’s happening in the Heritage Area, voting in new Commissioners, special awards, and more.
Special Recognition Awards will be presented to Ken Turino (retired from Historic New England) and Kate Bowditch (retired from Greenbelt).
Pioneer in Partnership Award will be presented to DCR (Lawrence Heritage State Park) and the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/9mEMKejdXe36zDwV6
Many thanks to Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program for hosting!

250th Anniversary of the First Massachusetts Provincial Congress
2024-10-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Free event, but registration is required. REGISTER HERE

On October 7, 1774, ninety chosen representatives met at Salem in defiance of General Gage’s order. They elected John Hancock to serve as chairman. They resolved to form themselves into “a Provincial Congress…to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures as they shall judge will tend to promote the true interest of his majesty, and the peace, welfare, and prosperity of the province.” The establishment of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was essentially a coup détat: a sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power. The royal government, headed by General Gage, was now isolated and virtually powerless except for the presence of the army and navy in Boston.

Welcome and Introduction: Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250 Massachusetts

Brief lecture on the significance of Oct 7, 1774: Alexander Cain, author of We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution

Presentation of the Citations: Presentations of the federal, state, and local citations commemorating the bravery of those who met at Salem in defiance of the lawful government.

Keynote Address: Robert A. Gross, author of The Minutemen and their World.

The event will conclude with a brief Q& A followed by reception with light refreshments, and a cash bar. In attendance will also be American Revolutionary War reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company and the Lexington Minute Men.

Event presented by Essex Heritage in partnership with the Hawthorne Hotel

This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250. Essex County Revolution 250 is an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period.
For more information CLICK HERE

The Great Salem Fire of 1774: Walking Tour
2024-10-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Tour the sites of the Great Salem Fire, October 6, 1774 with retired park ranger, Curtis White.

Tour the site of the Great Salem Fire, October 6, 1774 with retired park ranger, Curtis White. The fire destroyed shops, a meeting-house, dwellings, and the Custom House. Was the fire a diversionary tactic to deter the arrest of Massachusetts delegates who met in defiance of the Massachusetts Government Act?
Special Instructions
The 1.25-mile walking tour will meet outside the Salem Armory Visitor Center located at 2 New Liberty Street.
This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250. Essex County Revolution 250 is an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period. For more information visit essexheritage.org/rev250

"None Ought...Keep Fellowship With Devils"; Reverend Parris Returns
2024-10-05 14:00 - 16:00 | The Rebecca Nurse Homestead, 149 Pine Street, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
Join the congregation as Reverend Parris will lead a Puritan plain style morning service and preach the sermon that he delivered on March 27, 1692, soon after the outbreak of the witchcraft episode throughout Essex County.
Donald Friary, a Salem resident and historian of religion and architecture in early America, will appear in costume and in character as Reverend Parris.
Following the service, Friary will discuss the Puritan plain style in the service of worship, the sermon, meetinghouse architecture, and Puritan literature.
The entire program will last between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Tickets are $20 per person. Registration is required as there are only 50 spots available.
More information:
On Saturday, October 5 at 2:00pm, the Rev. Samuel Parris (1653-1720) will return to his pulpit in the Salem Village meetinghouse, now on the Rebecca Nurse Homestead campus on Pine Street in Danvers. Mr. Parris will lead a typical Puritan plain style service and preach the sermon that he delivered on March 27, 1692, soon after the outbreak of the witchcraft episode throughout Essex County. Donald Friary, a Salem resident and historian of religion and architecture in early America, will appear in costume and in character as Mr. Parris. He will read from The Sermon Notebook of Samuel Parris, 1689-1694 that survives in the library of the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford and has been published by the Colonial Society of Massachusetts in print and online (www.colonialsociety.org).
Following the service, in which the audience will participate, Friary will discuss and respond to questions about the Puritan plain style in the service of worship, the sermon, meetinghouse architecture, and Puritan literature. It is called the plain style only in part because it is unadorned. More important to the Puritans was the plain style’s role as a direct communication between God and the congregation. Nothing could get in the way of God speaking to the individual Puritan through the Bible through the reading of scripture and the singing of psalms lined out by the church deacon. The minister, in behalf of the congregation, responded to God’s message in an opening prayer and a sermon based on scripture that followed a standard format that kept the minister closely focused on God’s message. The minister was clad in a long black gown with white Geneva bands, pointing to his face, from which the word of God was proclaimed.
Donald Friary has preached Puritan sermons for more than 50 years—at the First Church of Deerfield, at the Rocky Hill meeting house in Amesbury, and on Boston Common during the 350th anniversary of the founding of the city. Since moving to Salem in 2005, he has immersed himself in its history and can occasionally be seen walking the historic city’s streets and waterside wharves in the guise of the Reverend William Bentley (1759-1819). As Principal of History for Hire Mr. Friary is an independent consultant to museums and historical organizations. He offers walking tours of Salem through the international firm, Tours by Locals (www.toursbylocals.com).
Friary was President of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts from 2006 to 2020 and is an Honorary Trustee of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. A Boston native, he is a graduate of the Boston Latin School, Brown University, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Ph. D. in American Civilization. In 2005 Mr. Friary concluded a forty-year career at Historic Deerfield, twenty-eight of them as the museum’s Executive Director, and is now Director Emeritus. He has taught at the State University of New York’s College at New Paltz, at Smith College, and at Gordon College. A member of the American Antiquarian Society and a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society, he serves on the Public Humanities Advisory Board of the John Nicholas Brown Center for the Study of American Civilization at Brown University, as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Bowne House Historical Society, and on the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Trails & Sails 2024
2024-09-14 - 2024-09-29 | MA
Discover special places in your backyard during Trails & Sails! Be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in cultural experiences of all kinds. Find what makes Essex County like nowhere else. All events included in this series take place in various locations throughout Essex County and are completely free, visit the Trails & Sails website to learn more and see the full schedule.
Trails & Sails will be extended in 2024 taking place for 16 days!
