Essex National Heritage Area
Tom Leonard, President, ENHC

Tom Leonard,
President Emeritus, ENHC

Tom Leonard writes a monthly column for the community newspapers in the Essex National Heritage Area. This is a reprint of this month's column.
tleonard
at essexheritage.org.

Columns
Essex Heritage Spring Activities Satisfy a Wide Variety of Interests

I have been away in Florida for the last several weeks on a winter vacation and returned in late March to weather that seems more like mid-winter than spring. I am sure that April will bring a hint of spring as it always does in New England. While it is pleasant to get away from the chill and storms of winter, it is also very positive to return home to this area. We have so much to be proud of here in this part of the Commonwealth, and after the repetitive landscape that is so prevalent in Florida; it is always good to return to one’s roots. We have so much that is unique and historic, and the heritage of this region is something that I will always value, and welcome when I return home. During my absence, the dedicated staff at Essex Heritage has been as busy as ever, and it is nice to be able to report to you on some projects of interest.

Annual Meeting Planned a Little Earlier this Year

Because of a very busy schedule of spring events, this year the Essex Heritage Annual meeting is being held early, during the last week in April. On April 28, 2009 the Commission will offer an update on its activities and plans at the Firehouse Center for the Arts at 1 Market Square, Newburyport. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 8:00 AM with a continental breakfast reception followed by the meeting at 8:30 AM. It is expected that all of the business, awards, recognitions and election of new Commissioners will be complete by 10:00 AM. The reports presented will provide updates on current activities and plans for the future. If anyone has an interest in attending the meeting, please contact Emily Levin by April 24, 2009 at 978 740 0444 to secure a reservation.

2009 Essex Heritage Hero Award

The Essex Heritage Hero award is presented each year, recognizing the special contributions of individuals and groups across Essex County, whose passions embody the mission of Essex Heritage-to protect and preserve the region’s rich historic, cultural and natural resources. Tom Costin certainly personifies those ideals.

This year on May 21, 2009 the Essex Heritage Commission will once again celebrate our region’s unique cultural heritage with a presentation to a most distinguished recipient. In partnership with the National Park Service, Essex Heritage will present the Essex Heritage Award Dinner, an event celebrating the lifelong civic engagement and accomplishments of Thomas P. Costin, Jr. of Nahant at the historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Tickets for the event are on sale now, and can be purchased on line at www.EssexHeritage.org.

Tom Costin’s longtime commitment to the heritage development of Essex County is legendary. From his early years when he served as the youngest Mayor ever elected to that post in Lynn, to his distinguished career as a Postmaster and political sage who was one of the founding fathers of the Essex National Heritage “Ad Hoc” Commission, Tom has been one of the region’s true heritage champions. Please join us on Tuesday evening May 21, 2009 as Essex Heritage and the National Park Service pay homage to Tom, who will provide an entertaining “tour” of his sixty years of service to this region. Tom will recount the many friends he has made and the numerous organizations he has helped along his six decade journey.

Update on Non-Profit Initiative

Last fall, Essex Heritage partnered with Cause & Effect Consulting, Inc., led by Gayle Gifford, to conduct a multi-phased study of heritage non-profit sustainability. Twelve partner organizations voluntarily participated in preliminary survey work and site visits to create a baseline set of assumptions and recommendations.

Funding is now being sought for the follow up phases of the Heritage Non-Profit Study, but in the interim, Essex Heritage is offering the use of an on-line tool to establish an on-going, virtual communication link among the partners and any other interested parties. This on-line forum will be used as a way to share information on a variety of topics. Partners can use the forum to present needs and opportunities for collaboration and support. High on the priority list of discussion topics is a desire to find a way to lower insurance costs, share professional skills and grow shrinking endowment funds. If you are interested in becoming part of this online community resource, please e-mail sdoerfler at essexheritage.org.

Thomas M. Leonard is President Emeritus of the Essex National Heritage Commission, Inc., the nonprofit management entity of the Essex National Heritage Area, and can be reached by clicking here.