News from the Essex National Heritage Commission
The mission of the ENHC is to preserve and promote the cultural, natural, and historical resources of Essex County, MA.

 

May 2007

bid online button and linkbuy tickets online button and linkVisit ENHC's online heritage auction featuring more than 60 items! The auction runs until June 6, culminating in a live auction on June 7, at the historic Smith Barn in Peabody. Read more about the June 7th event below!
In This Issue
Essentially Essex County - Farm Fresh
Commissioner Corner: Frederic Winthrop
Photo Safaris 2007!
17th Century Saturdays
Border to Boston Update
Guide to First Period Architecture
Congrats New Commissioners & Award Recipients
Upcoming Explorers Events
Essentially Essex County - Farm Fresh
On June 7, 2007, ENHC continues its tradition of gathering friends, partners, and supporters for a unique heritage experience. Join us as we present Essentially Essex County - Farm Fresh, an evening of fun to highlight the rich agricultural history of Essex County. Connect with the Area's agricultural roots and leaders from business, civic, and non-profit organizations across Essex County and enjoy a sampling of local foods! 
 
The online auction will culminate in a Live "Heritage" Auction highlighting heritage resources of Essex County and beyond! Visit EssexHeritage.org for details or RSVP here.  All proceeds will benefit ENHC and the Essex County/Merrimack Valley Buy Local Program.
Commissioner Corner: Frederic Winthrop 
Conservation Lands mural by Julia Purinton croppedENHC Trustee and Officer Frederic Winthrop is a leading land conservation authority with deep roots in the agricultural heritage of Essex County.  An ENHC Commissioner since 2000 and Trustee since 2005, Mr. Winthrop has contributed his time and expertise on several ENHC initiatives. He was an ardent supporter of the Heritage Landscape Inventory in 2004-2005, served on the 2007 Partnership Grant screening committee, and is a staunch advocate on behalf of preserving farmland in Essex County. His insight contributed greatly to an ENHC focus on sustainable agriculture this year. In addition to years of professional and volunteer roles with prestigious regional organizations, he is co-owner and operator of a family farm in Ipswich. Read more about Fred Winthrop...
Choate Island Barn 
The Essex National Heritage Commission is working with Hunt's Photo & Video to present five Essex Heritage Photo Safaris in 2007. Test the newest digital photography and optic equipment from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony and Tamron, with backdrops featuring some of the Area's best natural, cultural, and historical landscapes. Each event will feature demonstrations, lectures, and tips from professional photographers and the camera manufacturers. Participants will be able to take their images home on Delkin Devices memory cards and will each receive a gift certificate for a future equipment purchase at Hunt's!
17th Century Saturdays
17th Century Saturdays logo and link 

Essex County boasts more examples of First Period architecture (structures built between 1625-1725) than any region in the country. ENHC, in conjunction with the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (NBCVB) and Historic New England, is presenting 17th Century Saturdays to encourage visitors to learn more about these architecturally significant treasures. From 11AM-3PM sites throughout the region will offer tours, special events, family programs, and more on June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, and October 6.  On June 2, all sites will be open free of charge.  On subsequent Saturdays, sites may charge admission (see schedule for more details).  A complete schedule of programs and events can be found here.  Details will be available on EscapesNorth.com in June.

Border to Boston Update
Newburyport TrailENHC is pleased to report that, with its support, a state-level task force has been formed to promote development of the Border to Boston Trail. The 28-mile trail is proposed to link Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Georgetown, Boxford, Topsfield, Wenham, and Danvers via abandoned railroad corridors.
 
The task force is composed of representatives from the eight ENHA communities, state transportation agencies, regional planning organizations, and other key stakeholders. Read more...(pdf)
Guide to First Period Architecture 
Guide to First Period ArchitectureENHC has produced a Guide to First Period Architecture in Essex County, a 20-page brochure providing detailed information on 24 sites throughout the region that date back to the 1600s and early 1700s.  The guide features sites that are open to the public and provides information about historical significance and architectural features, as well as visitor information.  The guide can be obtained from ENHC, at the sites listed in the Guide, or at one of the Essex National Heritage Area regional visitor centers.  Additional First Period properties and historic districts, including sites not open to the public, can be found in ENHC's on-line Guide to First Period Architecture at EssexHeritage.org. This guide was made possible by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Welcome New Commissioners
ENHC's annual meeting
On Wednesday, May 9, ENHC held its Semi-Annual Commission meeting at Veasey Memorial Park in Groveland.  ENHC is pleased to announce the following nominees were unanimously approved to serve as Commissioners:

- Jim Haskell, Management Consultant (formerly Executive Director, Salem Harbor Community Development Corporation)

- Sumner Jones, Executive Vice President, Eastern Investment Advisors

- Jeffrey Korzenik, President, SalemFive Investment Services

- Charles Newhall, History Department, St. John's Preparatory School

- Ann Ormond, President, Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
Special Recognition Award Recipients 
ENHC would like to extend congratulations to those individuals and organizations that were recognized at the ENHC Semi-Annual Meeting with Special Recognition Awards.  ENHC was pleased to present awards of recognition to:
 
- Sally Carlson, SC Communications
- The House of the Seven Gables
- William Power, President, Peabody Historical Society & Museum and former ENHC Trustee
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ACEC Program

Explorers logo and link
"From Cow to Cone"
Saturday, June 2,
10:30AM-12PM

Richardson's Ice Cream
156 South Main Street
(Rte 114)
Middleton, MA


Join us for a behind the scenes tour with Paul Richardson and learn about the history of the Richardson family in Middleton, the life of a dairy cow, the milking process, and, of course, how Richardson's famous ice cream is made! Richardson's Dairy Farm, the largest dairy farm in Essex County, has been in operation since 1695. Today the farm is managed by the eighth and ninth generations of the Richardson family, and has become one of the Area's most beloved destinations. Space is limited, please RSVP.
Explorers: FREE;
Non-Explorers: $7.00

Saturday, July 14,
1PM - 2PM
The Medicinal Kitchen
Andover Historical Society Barn (AHS)97 Main Street
Andover, MA
 
Meet us in Andover with host Deb Friedman of Old Sturbridge Village as she shares, details of home health care in early America, the role women played in care-giving, how families adapted to accommodate illness, and how people viewed health in the 19th century. Find out about recipes for different ailments as well as herbal remedies.
 
We will also experience a New England tradition; the Farmers' Market. Phillip's Andover student, Susannah Poland has helped organize this weekly event enabling contributing farmers to share the unique tastes and culture of local farms.This will be the season's first market for Andover! Explorers: FREE; Non-Explorers: $7.00

 
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