Trails & Sails is an event series that brings awareness and appreciation for heritage resources around the county. Historically, Trails & Sails has focused on outdoor activities such as guided hikes and excursions on the water but over the years the event series has grown to include tours of historic houses, lectures on Essex County history, and a variety of other cultural activities.
With over 200 unique heritage events offered, Trails & Sails relies on non-profit, community, and small business partners to offer engaging heritage programming. This can take many shapes; a historical society might offer a lecture, a conservation group could lead a guided hike, an arts consortium might coordinate open studios, or a local sailing vessel might offer free harbor tours. Once events are in the works, Essex Heritage becomes the marketing engine to promote Trails & Sails. This is done through the digital and print promotion of the entire series including the publication of a printed guide, an online and mobile-friendly website for event listings, and social media advertising.
Essex Heritage believes that if residents and visitors get a taste of the thousands of heritage assets found in Essex County, they will be more likely to promote and support those places over time. Through Trails & Sails, awareness and appreciation of heritage resources can be catalyzed and all ages can enjoy what Essex County has to offer.
We are always looking for new partners to participate in Trails & Sails! If you or your organization are interested in hosting, please contact Heather Goss: HeatherG@EssexHeritage.org.
