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Preserving and promoting the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County.
May 2006

Essentially Essex County
The countdown to June 1 is on! Don’t miss Essentially Essex County, featuring keynote speaker, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Master-of-Ceremonies, NECN newsman, Chet Curtis. The Essex County 100 Milestones in Heritage Development will be announced at this unique celebration of the Area’s rich and diverse resources. Please join us! If you have not yet purchased tickets, you can do so here or call the ENHC at (978) 740-0444.

In this issue
  • Upcoming Explorers Events
  • May 20 - Essex Heritage Photo Safaris!
  • Essex County Art Trail!
  • May 12 - Archives Alive! Spring Workshop
  • Commissioner Corner: Welcome New Commissioners!
  • ENHC Award Recipients Announced
  • Explorers Partner: Sail aboard the Schooner FAME!
  • Partnership Grant Spotlight On: The Town of Salisbury
  • National Heritage Area Highlight: Shenandoah Valley Battlefields

  • May 20 - Essex Heritage Photo Safaris!
    Photo Safari logo

    Have you had your eye on a new digital SLR camera, but you want to know what kind of photographs it takes before you make your investment? ENHC has the events for you! Join us for one of three Heritage Photos Safaris, presented by Hunt’s Photo & Video in conjunction with Nikon, Olympus, Canon and Delkin Devices. Each event will highlight a beautiful heritage destination and the latest in digital camera equipment from Nikon, Olympus or Canon. Participants will learn from the pros and will be able to take their images home, courtesy of memory sticks provided by Delkin. In addition, Hunt’s Photo & Video is giving each participant a $50 gift certificate for a future equipment purchase! Space is limited and reservations are required. Sign up here or call Chrissy at (978) 740- 0444.

    Once you have taken your pictures, submit them for prizes! Learn about the ENHC’s anniversary Photo Contest. Submissions must be received before November 10, 2006.


    Essex County Art Trail!
    Art Escapes logo

    Explore the places that have inspired the art throughout the ENHA. ENHC is pleased to present the new Essex County Art Trail, available here and at Escapes North. The trail is part of a year-long regional collaboration with the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Peabody Essex Museum and many other sites and organizations. The trail highlights the places and people in Essex County that shine light on the region through their art. The Peabody Essex Museum’s remarkable new exhibit, Painting Summer in New England, was the catalyst for this promotion. Be sure to include it in your exploration of the Area’s many inspirational destinations.


    May 12 - Archives Alive! Spring Workshop

    Please join us for the spring Archives Alive! workshop this Friday, May 12 from 9am-2:30pm at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library in South Hamilton. Click here for event registration, information, directions and agenda.

    Historical records and archival collections offer our clearest insight into the past. If thoughtfully promoted, these collections also offer a great opportunity to grow new audiences. Through presentations and best practice discussions, workshop participants will learn about the value of crafting an overall public message, preparing for a promotional campaign, and developing a public relations plan to promote archival collections. Workshop attendees are encouraged to bring their project and program ideas to share, as a portion of each session will be devoted to extensive questions and answers.

    Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System, and the Northeast Document Conservation Center.


    Commissioner Corner: Welcome New Commissioners!
    Nevins Memorail Library

    On Tuesday, May 2 the ENHC held its semi-annual commission meeting at Nevins Memorial Library in Methuen. ENHC is pleased to welcome the following new commissioners who were officially introduced at that meeting:

  • Robert Ansin, Founder, President & CEO, MassInovation,
    Monarch on the Merrimack
  • Pedro L. Arce, Vice President, CRA Loan Manager, TD Banknorth
  • Joseph J. Caporale, CFRE President & COO, Ruotolo Associates, Inc.
  • Richard F. Moore, Senior Vice President, Eastern Investment Advisors &
    Essex Agricultural Society
  • Richard J. Passeri, Facilities Management Consultant, North Shore Community College
  • Kevin M. Tierney, President & CEO, Saugusbank

  • ENHC Award Recipients Announced

    In addition to Commissioner elections, the ENHC semi-annual meeting featured award presentations. ENHC was please to present awards to the following recipients:

  • Congressman Martin T. Meehan
  • Richard Cunningham, Newbury Historian
  • Emily Fertik, former Executive Director, Wenham Museum
  • Sharon M. Pollard, former Mayor of Methuen
  • Richard Scott, Charles District Manager,
    Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • Joanne Sullivan, Assistant Vice President, Community Relations, TD Banknorth,
    former Executive Director, Haverhill Historical Society


  • Explorers Partner: Sail aboard the Schooner FAME!
    The Schooner Fame

    Once a fast "Chebacco" fishing schooner, FAME was built in Gloucester, owned in Salem and reborn as a privateer when war broke out in 1812. One of the first American privateers to get to sea and send in a captured vessel, FAME took at least 21 prizes off Maine, and Canada before being lost in the Bay of Fundy in 1814. In June 2003, 11th generation boat builder, Harold Burnham, launched a new FAME, an historically accurate replica of the original from his Essex boatyard. The new FAME sails from Pickering Wharf in Salem for cruises on Salem Sound. On her educational sails, you can learn about fisherman, pirates, privateers, traders and the men of war who shaped the region. FAME hosts a variety of programs for young and old. Click here for more information or call 978-729-7600. Explorers, please show valid Explorers' Membership Card for discount to receive 50% off all sails during the month of June.


    Partnership Grant Spotlight On: The Town of Salisbury
    CTC earthday trail cleanup

    Enjoy the region’s beautiful spring weather! Take a walk on the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail in Salisbury. While there, take note of the four interpretive signs unveiled last month during an Earth Day celebration. The graphically resplendent signs were designed, fabricated, and installed with the help of a 2005 ENHC Partnership Grant.

    In addition to an entrance sign, signs tell stories of the area's developmental history, the “ghost” trains, and the notorious 1926 train robbery. After the unveiling, attended by State Representative Michael Costello and Betsy Goodrich of the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a group of 50 volunteers cleaned winter debris from the trail and held a community cookout.

    With ongoing support from the Salisbury Coastal Trails, the Coastal Trails Coalition, and the ENHC, the Town of Salisbury has plans to further enhance its community trails. Once completed, the now partially improved two-mile Salisbury Point Ghost Trail will link with Amesbury’s Riverwalk to the west and with the 4-mile long Old Eastern Main Line to the east. The trails are all part of the envisioned four community, 30-mile long Coastal Trails Network.


    National Heritage Area Highlight: Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
    Shenandoah Valley

    A central part of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation’s mission is to preserve Civil War battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, both directly and by enabling landowners and local organizations to do so. Exploring the rich legacy of the Valley’s Civil War heritage is only possible with the protection of its historic places. Today visitors are able to view the landscape much as it was seen by soldiers and civilians during the important Civil War campaigns in the Valley. On these landscapes rests a multitude of memories, stories, lives, battles and lessons that make up much of what we know today as the Civil War. A great deal can be learned from our valuable past—ultimately, protecting this historic resource protects America’s future. Check out upcoming events...


    Upcoming Explorers Events

    Explorers! Please join us for these great upcoming events!

    Sunday, June 4, 5–6PM
    Green Meadows Farm, Hamilton

    Come on down to the farm as we go behind-the- scenes of Green Meadows Farm, a USDA certified, organic vegetable & fruit farm located on the Patton Estate in Hamilton. On this tour, Explorers will catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the farm stand and learn more about the farm’s 200 member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and the critical role CSAs are playing in preserving agriculture in towns with significant development pressure. Tours will be on well grated gravel roads. Explorers: Free; Non-Explorers:$7

    Contact Sheilagh to RSVP

    Annual FAM Tour!

    On Friday, May 12th, come enjoy the beauty of the Essex National Heritage Area! This year's ENHA Volunteer Familiarization Tour includes sites in Ipswich, and Essex and will expose you to the riches of the Area and help us all better serve our visitors. Contact Chrissy at 978-740-0444.

    Did you know...?

    Richardson’s Dairy Farm in Danvers and Middleton was founded in 1690 and today produces 3.7 million pounds of milk and 800,000 gallons of ice cream each year!

    Quick Links

    A note from Tom Leonard

    The Thomas M. Leonard Partnership Grant Fund

    Art Escapes Trail

    Visit the ENHC Home page

    Birding Trail

    Visit the ENHC Calendar




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