ENHC is accepting applications for the ninth annual ENHC Partnership Grant Program! The matching grant program is designed to provide financial support to projects that encourage education, interpretation or preservation of the unique historic, cultural and natural resources within the Essex National Heritage Area. Open to Essex County non-profit organizations, cities and towns, government agencies and educational institutions, grant awards will range from $1,000 - $15,000 per project. Partnership Grants are awarded in five categories: After-School and Out-of-School Heritage Education; Heritage Interpretation and Programming; Heritage Preservation and Resource Stewardship; Archives and Historical Records; and Trails and Greenways. Grant applications are due by March 1, 2006.

This year, we have established a new education grant in recognition of founding ENHC President Tom Leonard. The Thomas M. Leonard Partnership Grant for Education is designed to nurture the future stewards of historic, cultural and natural resources of the region. This annual financial award, funded by private and public donations, will be granted to a qualified Essex County non-profit organization serving at risk youth and will fund a program designed to increase awareness and a commitment to preserve Area resources for future generations. Our goal is to raise $35,000 to sustain the funding of this award for years to come. We invite you to show your support and honor the legacy of community service begun by Tom Leonard by making a donation to the fund that bears his name. Every dollar received in support of the Thomas M. Leonard Partnership Grant for Education will be directed to this specific grant fund.

Donald P. Gill, President of the First National Bank of Ipswich, has been affiliated with the ENHC since 2000, as a Commissioner, Trustee and as ENHC Treasurer. His financial expertise and sound business recommendations have contributed greatly to the strength of the ENHC’s fiscal position. Concurrently, Don has led the FNBI through a period of impressive expansion. With its signature focus on customer service and convenience, FNBI serves North Shore residents who live and commute between Boston and Portsmouth, offering the full range of competitive and convenient banking products and options.

Don recognizes the synergy between the ENHC’s mission and FNBI’s commitment to the quality of life on the North Shore. FNBI has been a Corporate Partner; Trails & Sails sponsor and most recently, has taken a leadership role in committing to early sponsorship of ENHC's 10th anniversary celebration, Essentially Essex County, on June 1, 2006.
We thank Don and FNBI for their continuous support and commitment. We wish our partners every success in 2006!

Working with state representative Mary Grant of Beverly, area legislators, and local officials, ENHC is helping to preserve and enhance the scenic, historic, and natural qualities of a 40-mile coastal highway route. Through Rep. Grant's leadership, portions of routes 1A, 129, 129A, 114 and 127 in the communities of Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, and Rockport were designated as a state scenic byway earlier this year. Current efforts are focused on submission of an application to the National Scenic Byway Program for funding to prepare a corridor management plan. The finished plan will set forth overall goals for the byway as well as specific activities to be accomplished over time, many of which will be eligible for additional federal funds. The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway is the second state designated byway in the ENHA. It joins a 24-mile route linking Gloucester with Newburyport that was designated in 2003.

ENHC, in partnership with Beverly Public Schools, Salem State College and the National Archives and Records Administration recently received a three- year, $999,052, Teach America Grant to develop. Using ESSEX History (UEH). UEH is designed to increase teachers' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of key events and issues in American history through an intensive, ongoing professional development program. Through intensive monthly seminars held on site at historic sites and archives, UEH will provide Essex County's middle and high school teachers with the increased content knowledge that will allow them to improve the quality of instruction given to their students. The first seminar, Early Colonial History, will be held on February 16, 2006 at the Beverly Public Library. Click here for a seminar application or for more information on UEH.

At the southern most point in Essex County, Nahant is a resort town with an early colonial farm history. With many historic structures from the turn of the last century, and sweeping views from its beaches, Nahant is a picturesque place to visit. The Town is conscience of these facts and strives to preserve these special characteristics. With the help of a 2005 ENHC Partnership Grant, the Town is in the process of planning for a 1.6- mile trail that will link important historical, environmental, and recreational sites in Nahant. The trail will follow the coast along “Short Beach,” then run through magnificent natural wetlands, ending at Bailey’s Hill, which offers brilliant views of the North Shore and the Boston skyline. Previously, the Town received a grant to make renovations and repairs to the historic Nahant Life Saving Station. With the help from the Partnership Grant, the Life Saving Station will be appreciated for generations to come.