The next Find Your Story challenge is here! We're looking for videos, photos, or audio recordings about YOUR favorite place in the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) to celebrate spring! Get creative, have some fun while you #FindYourStory with your family and friends, then share your story to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary and the National Park Service Centennial. Take the "Spring Into Summer Challenge" to win new prizes and nominate your favorite place to win $500 in support of their work. Learn more.

Have You Seen the Light?

Bakers Island Light Update

Spring is here! Essex Heritage is excited to start the second season of Boat Tours to Bakers Island Light. We've seen the light -- have you?Learn more and get tickets today!

Naumkeag, our landing boat, is launched and tours are starting up in June. We are looking forward to the arrival of our new volunteer keepers -- Bill and Brenda. The island is getting busier. We can see golf carts and strollers enjoying the lighthouse property. We expect to open up the houses before Memorial Day weekend. In addition to our two-hour tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this year we will have longer picnic trips on Thursdays and volunteer days on Wednesdays.

Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway

The 90-mile coastal route from Lynn to Salisbury

Essex Heritage is thrilled to announce the installation of directional signage along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, a state-designated route linking 14 coastal communities from Lynn to Salisbury. The wayfinding signage system is a key component of a tourism-based economic development initiative showcasing the region's historic, cultural, and natural places. Read on.

Trails & Sails 2016 Planning Reminder

September 16-18 & 23-25, 2016

Submit Trails & Sails Events!

Do you want to bring new visitors to your site or build public awareness and audience for your cause, mission and organization? Then host a free, fun Trails & Sails event to give residents and visitors the chance to discover and experience your special place! Email Emily to get involved or for more information.

Salem Science Saturday

Heritage Education Update

Essex Heritage staff members spent a perfect spring Saturday exploring the Salem Woods and Salem Maritime National Historic Site with Salem Public School teachers. We partnered with Northeastern University's Marine Science Center to provide this training which will help teachers incorporate local resources into their science curriculum. View more pictures from our excursion and check out our website to find out more about how Essex Heritage works with teachers.

Let the Sunshine In

Partnership Grant Spotlight

The sun is once again shining through the windows of the historic Essex Company complex, home of the Lawrence History Center. Utilizing an Essex Heritage Partnership Grant, the nonprofit center replaced 39 existing aluminum storm windows (featuring aged opaque Plexiglas panes) with historically appropriate exterior insulating storm windows. In addition returning the building to its original appearance, the new storms protect the brick structure's original 1883 windows, help preserve building contents by eliminating ultra-violet light, and elevate the overall energy efficiency of the window-storm assembly to that of new replacement windows.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

Whether across the globe or a few towns away, there's nothing that recharges and expands horizons like bicycle travel. Essex Heritage is pleased to be the local sponsor of the Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival on Thursday, June 2, 7:00 PM at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.

Spring Membership Challenge

It's official! We are turning 20 this year! To kick off our year of celebration, we need your help reaching our goal of renewing 120 members by June 20. Renew or Join us today.

Home / Find Your Story / Events / Join or Donate