Essex National Heritage Commission
About
The Essex National Heritage Commission, known as Essex Heritage, works to connect people with the history, culture and landscapes of Essex County. From its Salem office, the nonprofit oversees the Essex National Heritage Area, a region of 34 cities and towns stretching across the North Shore and Merrimack Valley. Its goal is to help residents and visitors form deeper relationships with local communities, institutions and environments by examining the past to build a better future.
Much of its work involves pointing people toward ways to explore. Suggestions include driving the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, hiking trails in parks and forests, kayaking local waterways, biking the Border to Boston trail and taking walking tours or visiting museums. The commission also manages access to Bakers Island Light Station off the coast of Salem, where summer visitors can tour the site, stay overnight or volunteer, and it offers grants to partner organizations.
What to Know
- Its Visitor Center Grants program funds 13 welcome centers that serve about 2.7 million annual visitors to the region.
- Cummings Foundation awarded it a multiyear grant through the foundation’s large community grant program.
- Mass Humanities funded a project to uncover hidden stories of Revolutionary War maritime history.
- New trustees, commissioners and awards are announced at its spring and fall annual meetings.
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