Essex National Heritage Area
Essex Heritage Membership Events

Make Trails & Sails Last All Year Long!
As a member of the Essex National Heritage Commission there are many opportunities to connect to resources in this region. In September Trails & Sails offers hundreds of opportunities to explore the region, but membership makes the fun last all year long. Your connections to place foster stewardship enriching both your life and ensuring the longevity of the natural, historic and cultural treasures here in Essex County, MA. Enjoy Essex Heritage as well as featured partner events. Both offer special Essex Heritage membership rates to attend, just let them know you are a member! Join us and experience the best of the region throughout the year!

2012 Essex Heritage Events

Saturdays, January 21 thru
February 25, 3:00 - 4:30 PM

The Wreck of the Steamship PortlandEssex Heritage Featured Partner Event
Historic New England Presents:

Winter Weekends at the Phillips House
Phillips House
34 Chestnut Street
Salem, MA 01970

Follow the Phillips family on a wintery jaunt around New England. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while viewing film clips of the family sledding, skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Following the film, join the museum staff for a special house tour that shows how the family lived in 34 Chestnut Street through the winter months. The program ends with a sneak peek of Phillips family items, such as postcards and photographs, not usually on display.

DETAILS: The next Winter Weekends program is on Saturday, January 21. The movie starts promptly at 3:00 p.m. Registration is required. Essex Heritage members, please register by calling Julie at 978-744-0440 to confirm your choice of dates and be sure to mention you are an Essex Heritage member! Tickets are free to Historic New England members, $5.00 for Essex Heritage Members and $10.00 for nonmembers. Payment can be made over the phone at time of registration.


Saturday, February 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Snowshoeing in GeorgetownWinter Woods Hike
Camp Denison Conservation Area
84 Nelson Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

Grab your snowshoes and poles and explore the winter woods! Discover Camp Denison Conservation Area’s dynamic landscape under a quiet blanket of snow on a guided excursion. This property offers forty-four acres of conservation land and a variety of features for visitors to enjoy including: views of Baldpate Pond, a beaver hut, and access to a well-marked trail system. We plan to cover about a mile of trail (1+ hour) and will hike in the event that there is no snow! Afterwards, warm up in front of the large fireplace in the Lodge's 'Smokies' Den' while enjoying post-walk treats courtesy of our guides and volunteers from Camp Denison Recreation Area. What better way to spend a wintery Saturday morning? Don’t have snowshoes, but want to come? Let me know, we may have a pair or two for loan and can suggest rental opportunities as well!

Essex Heritage members $7/Non-members $10. Reservations required. Please register online above or send checks to: Essex National Heritage Commission, 221 Essex Street, Suite 41 Salem, MA 01970 or call Elizabeth at 978-740-0444 for questions and details. Event fees sustain the Essex Heritage Membership program and support partner sites.


Sunday, February 26, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Little River Nature TrailFeatured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Wildlife Tracking
Little River Nature Trail
Newburyport, MA

Join expert Bob Metcalfe of New England Discovery for a wildlife-tracking excursion along the Little River Nature Trail. Learn about Greenbelt protected land in the area while hunting for signs of fox, coyote and fisher.

From Rt 95 N/S take exit 57 (Rt 113) East toward Newburyport. Immediately turn left into the Commuter Rail parking lot. Trail head for Little River Nature Trail is across 113. Look for large Trail marker sign. 
Registration required: ecga@ecga.org or 978-768-7241, ext. 10.


Monday, March 5, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Featured Partner Event
Salem Sound Coast Watch Presents:

Karen Ristuben performs
"Just One Word..."
Endicott College Center for the Arts
Rose Performance Hall
376 Hale Street
Beverly MA 01910
(Directions)

Essex Heritage Members are invited to attend a performance lecture by artist Karn Ristuben combining, art, science, music and philosophy highlighting the issue of marine plastic pollution and its impact on ocean ecosystems, including the marine food chain. Karen Ristuben, an artist in Gloucester who spent several weeks last year on a research vessel studying the Pacific garbage patch, has put together a wonderful presentation - informative, entertaining and thought provoking - about the role of plastics in our environment, especially the oceans. Salem Sound Coast Watch is pleased to have the Endicott College Environmental Society as their co-sponsor. This event is free to attend.


Tuesday, April 10, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Cascia Hall at Merrimack College
315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01810
8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast Reception
8:30 - 10:00 AM: Business Meeting

Join us for a morning of engagement at Merrimack College! Participate in this free, valuable networking opportunity that will further connect you with the work of Essex Heritage and our partners.

The agenda will include updates on Essex Heritage activities and initiatives, introduction to new Commissioners and the presentation of Essex Heritage’s Special Recognition Awards, designed to recognize individuals and/or organizations that exemplify the Essex National Heritage Commission’s spirit of collaboration through their initiatives in building partnerships that preserve and celebrate the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County. RSVP and find out more here.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Partnership Lecture Series
Mass General/ North Shore Center for Outpatient Care
102 Endicott Street
Danvers, MA 01923

Essex Heritage in collaboration with Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care, NSMC and Danvers Historical will offer a lecture to promote healthy and ecologically friendly connections in our community and foster stewardship to ensure the longevity of the natural, historic and cultural treasures here in Essex County, Massachusetts. Join us for a fun evening and celebration with the Endicott Family.


Friday, September 21 - Sunday, September 23 & Friday, September 28 - Sunday, September 30

Green Meadows Farm, MATrails & Sails 2012!

Mark your calendars to join us for two weekends of FREE events that showcase the cultural, historic and natural resources of Essex County. We are in the process of planning 200+ events with our partners which will include: guided tours, open house visits, hikes, walks, sails, paddles, and special experiences for all ages, skill levels and interests. Stay tuned for more details!


Past Events & Photos

Saturday, February 18, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

The Shipwrecks of Stellwagen Bank
Maritime Gloucester
23 Harbor Loop
Gloucester, MA 01930

See photos from this event soon.


Tuesday, February 21, 7:00 PM

The House of the Seven GablesAn Evening 'Melopoeia' Celebrating the
170th Wedding Anniversary of Nathaniel & Sophia
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street
Salem, MA 01970


Tuesday, February 7, 5:00 - 9:00 PM

Fundraiser at the Landing to Benefit Essex Heritage
81 Front Street
Marblehead, MA 01945


Sunday, January 29, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Indian Meadow Snow Shoeing
168 Garden Street
West Newbury, MA


Thursday, December 15, 7:00 PM

Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Ipswich Birding with Jim Berry

PingreeSchool Gymnasium Parking lot
537 Highland Street

South Hamilton, MA 01982


Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 PM

Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:

The Evolution of Christmas Music in New England
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street
Salem, MA 01970


Tuesday, December 13, 5:30 PM

Welcome Reception for
New NPS Superintendent Michael Quijano-West
2 New Liberty Street
Salem, MA 01970


Thursday, November 3, 2011, 7:00 PM

Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence
Film Viewing & Symposium
National Park Service Visitor Center in Salem
2 New Liberty Street
Salem, MA 01970

See photos from this event here.
Find out about additional opportunities to see this film here.
Thursday, October, 27, 2011, 4:00 PM

Smolak Farms Tour
315 South Bradford Street
North Andover, MA 01845

Tuesday, October, 25 2011, 8:00 AM

Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting
The Great House Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast Reception, 8:30 - 10:00 AM: Business Meeting
See photos from this event here.


September, 16-18 & 23-25, 2011

TRAILS & SAILS 10th Anniversary!
Your Passport to Essex County, MA


September, 3 - 5, 2011

Flatbread Company signFriendship Sails!
In September Essex Heritage and the National Park Service presented Friendship Sails! during Gloucester's 27th Annual Schooner Festival!

August, 5-12, 2011

National Park ImageEssex Heritage Northern National Parks Tour
Salt Lake City • Jackson Hole
Oregon Trail Museum • Yellowstone National Park • Old Faithful • Grand Teton National Park


Saturday, July 30, 8 AM - 12 PM

Photo Safari Featuring Canon
Philips House & Gardens of Salem
See event photos here!


Saturday, July 9, 8 AM - 12 PM

Photo Safari Featuring Nikon
Brooksby Farm, Peabody
See event photos here!


Saturday, June 18, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Flatbread Company, AmesburyPhoto Safari Featuring Tamron
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
244 Central Street
Saugus, MA 01906
(map it)
See event photos here!


Saturday, June 4, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Photo Safari at Castle Hill, Ipswich, MAPhoto Safari Featuring Olympus
Crane Beach & Castle Hill
299 Argilla Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
(map it)
See event photos here!


Thursday, May 12, 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Dogtown Common SignWalk the Trails of Dogtown
Dogtown Road (Parking Area)
Gloucester, MA 01930
(map it)
See event photos here!


Wednesday, April 13, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Photo by Robert BensonEndecott Pear Tree Party & Lecture
Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care
102 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA 01923

See photos from this event here!


Tuesday, April 12, 8:00 - 10:00 AM

Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Photo by Robert BensonEssex Heritage Semi-Annual Meeting
Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main Street Rockport, MA 01966
See photos from this event here!


Thursday, March 31, 11:30 AM - Closing

Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Photo by Robert BensonDough Raiser To Benefit Trails & Sails!
Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill
970 Paradise Road
Swampscott, MA 01907

Thank you to Uno's Pizzera in Swampscott for helping us host our Dough Raiser last week and to all those who attended in support of Trails & Sails!


Friday, March 25, 7:30 - 9:30 PM

M4 photo courtesy of John Hobbs, AstronomerStar Party! Viewing Our Night Sky
Veasey Memorial Park
201 Washington Street
Groveland, MA 01834

See photos from this event here!


Thursday, March 10, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Spotted SalamandersSpring Thaw: Introduction to Vernal Ponds
Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950

See photos from this event here.


Sunday, February 20, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Snow shoeing on the North ShoreWinter Woods - Snow Shoeing
Camp Denison Conservation Area
84 Nelson Street
Georgetown, MA
01833
See photos from this event here.


Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Eagle Fest 2010Eagle Fest Photo Excursion
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950

See photos from this event here.


Sunday, January 30, 2011, 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Eagle Fest 2010Bald Eagles & The Lower Merrimack River
Meeting Location: Park & Ride
Storey Avenue/Rte 113 (1-95, Exit 57)
Newburyport, MA 01950

See photos from this event here.


Sunday, January 23, 2011, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

The PortlandThe Shipwrecks of Stellwagen Bank
Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930

See photos from this event here.


Thursday, November 4, 2010, 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Jewell Towne Vineyards, Amesbury, MAFrom Vine to Wine!
Jewell Towne Vineyard,
just outside of downtown Amesbury, MA
See photos from this event here.


Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 8:00 -10:00 AM

Essex Heritage Annual Meeting
Lynch Park Carriage House, Beverly, MA 01915

See photos from this event here.


Friday, October 8, 2010, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Green Meadows Farm, MANew England Farm Tour & Picnic Lunch
Green Meadows Farm, Hamilton, MA 01982

See photos from this event here.



September 17-19 & 24-26, 2010
Green Meadows Farm, MA

Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water!

See photos from Trails & Sails here.