The Underground Railroad

Before the Civil War, many liberals who supported the abolition of slavery lived in the area now called the Essex National Heritage Area. By the mid-nineteenth century, American abolitionists operated an increasingly sophisticated network of assistance to escaped slaves throughout the Northern states called the Underground Railroad (UGRR), which was neither “underground” nor a “railroad.”

Millyard Walking Tour

The Millyard Walking Tour, located in the Amesbury and Salisbury Mills Historic District, takes the visitor along the banks of the PowWow River past sites from the earliest grist mills on the river through the large textile mills of the late 19th century.

Andover Village Industrial District

This walking tour winds through three 19th century mill complexes designated as the Andover Village Industrial District on the National Register of HIstoric Places. First, along Essex, Red Spring and Cuba streets is Abbot Village; second, following Stevens and lower North Main streets is Marland Village; and, lastly, between Railroad Street and upper North Main Street is the Tyer Rubber Company area.

African American Heritage Sites, Salem

From the earliest days, African Americans have a played a key role in Salem's history. This tour takes you past the homes and significant sites in that history.

Bowditch's Salem

The history of Salem . . . the history of maritime science . . . the history of American education . . . the history of mathematics and finance . . .the history of modern capital development — none can be told completely without the story of Nathaniel Bowditch. If Nathaniel Bowditch can be described as a “contribution” from the City of Salem, this is indeed a contribution of global proportions and a source of great pride for Salem.

McIntire
Historical District
Walking Tour

The distinctive McIntire Historic District encompasses an area with more than 300 historic structures. This urban walking tour, which takes the visitor past several of architect Samuel McIntire's significant houses, includes magnificent sea captains' houses as well as humble workers' cottages. It covers a little over a mile and takes about 45 minutes. The route is marked on posts and sidewalk plaques by a sheaf of wheat, designed by McIntire to symbolize Salem's prosperity. The walking tour begins at the Witch House, on the corner of North and Essex Streets.

Olmsted Historic District

Swampscott's Olmsted Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an exceptionally well-preserved residential area designed in 1888 by Frederick Law Olmsted, revered as the father of American landscape architecture. Best known as the designer of Boston's "Emerald Necklace" park system and New York's Central Park, Olmsted came to Swampscott at the behest of the Swampscott Land Trust to create one of the North Shore's first residential subdivisions. Olmsted's distinctive signature is evident throughout the district: a dramatic entrance parkway, picturesque thoroughfares winding gently along rolling hills, beautiful plantings, an ideal balance between privacy and community for the neighborhood. Today, Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for Swampscott is as fresh as it was in 1888. Use this heritage trail map as your guide.