ESSEX HERITAGE PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Essex Heritage 2012 Trails
& Sails Brochure
I have just received the new 2012 Trails & Sails brochure, and it is wonderful. It provides substantial information and
directions to the hundreds of free events planned for the last two weekends of
September. I encourage anyone who wants
specific information on the Trails &
Sails events to obtain one of these brochures as it will provide you with
all you need to plan for the two weekends of free events all over the Essex National Heritage Area. To learn
how to obtain a brochure visit the Essex
Heritage web site at www.essexheritsge.org
Visit Downtown Salem
In my opinion, the City of Salem is one of the best places
to experience Trails & Sails. I may be biased because it is the city of my
birth and it is where I spent virtually all of my life either as a resident or
as an employee of a company located in Salem.
But the events presented in Salem are excellent, and some are only
presented during these two weekends.
The historic
Hawthorne Hotel hosts an event on both of the Trails & Sails weekends.
The hotel opens the unique replica cabin from the vessel Taria Topan located at the very top of
the hotel. The cabin serves as the
headquarters of one of Salem’s oldest organizations, the Salem Marine
Society. The society headquarters has
outlasted a foreclosure of the hotel and two modernizations as rehabilitation
work went on around the property without disturbing the headquarters. This tour is a very special one as it is
only available as part of Essex Heritage’s
Tails & Sails. The Hawthorne
Hotel is listed as one of America’s Historic Hotels and a visit to the
hotel for a meal or just refreshment is always a treat.
The other two locations where
special events are planned are at the National
Park Service and the Peabody Essex
Museum. The Park Service events
includes the opportunity to row “jolly boat”, a 1800s replica of the ship’s
boat belonging to the tall ship Friendship. The second event is an all day open house at
the Salem Maritime National Historic Site including family and junior ranger
programs and the re-enactment of the controversy surrounding the War of 1812. Any visit to the Salem Maritime Historic Site should also include seeing the
recreated East Indiaman Friendship docked in nearby the
famous Custom House where Salem Author Nathanial Hawthorne once
served as the Port of Salem’s collector of custom duties.
Visitors can also travel up Essex Street where they can spend a
pleasant time at the National Park
Service’s regional visitor center in Salem. There are films and exhibits that help tell
the tale of this region’s history and the story of the infamous witchcraft
hysteria. The visitor center is
directly across from the world famous Peabody
Essex Museum where any visit is
a special occasion. The museum is a
treasure trove of exhibits that tell the story of culture from around the
world. Two special tours are being
offered by PEM during Trails & Sails. These are a guided tour of the wonderful Ansel Adams photography exhibit and a
special opportunity to visit the Ropes
Mansion Garden and try your hand at watercolor painting.
In addition to the sites outlined
above, visits to the Witch House,
the only extant building associated with the Salem Witch Trials, and the Privateer Fame, a replica sailing ship,
can be special ways to spend a day
visiting Salem or sailing in the
waters of Salem Harbor. All over
this historic city, but especially on Essex,
Federal and Chestnut Streets, there
are period houses and several are open for your exploration. I would strongly recommend a day trip to
Salem, where there is so much to see and enjoy and you might come to enjoy the “Witch
City” as much as I do.
HERITAGE AREA COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
For the past few weeks, I have featured a list of
communities and resources in the Essex
National Heritage Area. Here is the
balance of the communities served by Essex
Heritage that have not been previously presented in this blog.
SALEM
House of the Seven Gables The house, built in 1668, was made famous by Salem author Nathaniel Hawthorne.
McIntire Historic District Features a walking tour that takes visitors past several of architect Samuel McIntire's significant houses.
Misery Islands Misery Islands offer coastal views, rolling rocky terrain, diverse wildlife habitats, and interesting ruins that recall the Islands' past as an exclusive resort and summer colony.
National Park Service Regional Visitor Center Located in the old Salem Armory building, the ENHC Visitor Center offers information on Salem and the surrounding area and also features maps, exhibits, dioramas, movies and a gift shop.
Peabody Essex Museum A museum of international art and culture, the PEM is America's oldest continually operated museum.
Phillips House A historic house museum with a unique collection from five generations of the Phillips family.
Salem 1630: Pioneer Village This living history museum is a re-creation of the English colony established by Samuel Conant.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site This was the first National Historic Site in the National Park System and it preserves and interprets the maritime history of New England and the U.S.
Salem Witch Museum Washington Square Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978)744-1692 The Salem Witch Museum brings visitors back to Salem in 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692. Their new exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, examines the stereotypical witch, aspects of witchcraft in the 17th century, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts.
Schooner Fame of Salem Pickering Wharf Marina, Salem, MA 01970. 978-729-7600 The full-scale replica of the 1812 privateer Fame sails three times daily from Pickering Wharf in Salem. Fame is also available for private charter and hosts summer camps for children.
Places to
Stay in Salem
Hawthorne Hotel 18 Washington Square West Salem MA 01970 978-744-4080. Elegantly restored full service hotel located in the heart of historic Salem. The Hawthorne Hotel offers 89 individually appointed rooms and 7,000 square feet of meeting function space. Walking distance to all museums, cultural sites and waterfront makes it an ideal location. Proud member of the Historic Hotels of America, a designation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
SALISBURY
Maria Miles Visitor Center
Since opening in July of 1999, over 2 million travelers
have visited this Information Center. Facilities include tourist information,
ATM, pay phones, restrooms, and vending machines. Free Internet access is also
available to visitors. The well trained and knowledgeable staff answer
visitors' questions and promote the North of Boston Region
SAUGUS
SAUGUS
Breakheart Reservation 640-acre park boasts scenic views of Boston, 2 freshwater lakes, birding and more.
Saugus Historical Society
Special events throughout the year: Strawberry
Festival, Old Fashioned Picnic, Christmas Stroll and others.
Saugus Iron Works This National Historic Site is also an ENHC Visitor Center that
provides information on Saugus and the surrounding area. Come and learn about
the nation's first fully integrated ironworks from 1646.
SWAMPSCOTT
TOPSFIELD
Bradley Palmer State Park This 721-acre former estate features pine needled paths, acres of sunny rolling meadows and spectacular rhododendrons which line old carriage roads.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Massachusetts Audubon's largest sanctuary,this
property covers 2,800 acres of diverse habitats, including fields, vernal
pools, forests, swamps, islands, eskers, and eight miles of the Ipswich River.
Alfalfa Farm Winery Visit Alfalfa Farm Winery and taste what New England has to offer! An historic farm that mixes New England charm with the latest wine making technology. Free wine tastings and functions. 978-774-0014 . 267 Rowley Bridge Rd. Topsfield, MA 01983
WENHAM
Wenham Museum The Wenham Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore how we have lived, worked, dressed and played from the 17th Century to today.
REGIONAL NEWS
Ferry To Operate From South Shore to Salem at
Halloween
During the final two weekends in October, the company that operates the Salem Ferry will offer several trips
from the Hingham Shipyard on the South Shore to deliver a new market of
Halloween revelers to Salem. Boston
Harbor Cruises will offer their fastest and largest boat that ran all
summer from Boston to Provincetown and will run trips on the final two weekends
in October including Halloween. The fast ferry will run between Hingham and the Salem Ferry terminal. The
trip will take one hour as opposed to a possible three-hour trip by private
car. This new route over the final two
weekends in October will be promoted by the boat company to its regular Hingham-Boston commuters. I think that this opportunity will add a substantial
number of new customers for this short but busy period. Store and attraction operators all over the
city should see increased visitation and that will be most positive for many in
Salem.
Schooner Adventure’s
Rehabilitation is Nearing Completion
The Schooner Adventure, the
last of the great Gloucester fishing
schooners, is nearly complete after a major rehabilitation project. For the first time in decades, Schooner
Adventure led the parade of ships at the Gloucester Schooner Festival on Labor Day weekend. The boat, built in 1932, has been tied up at the
Gloucester Marine Railways where it has
been under reconstruction for a number of years. We are pleased to hear that these years of
work are almost done. Adventure is a great source of pride
for both the community of Gloucester
and the entire region.
Tourism is on the
Rise All across the Region
Massachusetts tourism has been on a major upswing for most of this year
and this is wonderful economic news for many.
Maritime tourism, small museums, restaurants and the lodging industry
have all experienced a most positive season.
We still have the fall visitation season and the crowd that comes to the
region as leaf peepers and as visitors to attend the numerous festivals like
the Essex Heritage’s Trails & Sails
and numerous farm weekend visitations for produce purchases and apple
picking. These events, along with the
ten-day Topsfield Fair scheduled in October, are revenue builders for many
in the region All of these will add to a
visitation rate that is fast approaching an increase of ten percent or better
across the region.
Gloucester’s
Committee for the Arts to Entertain Grants Proposals
The City of Gloucester has received funding from the Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council
that will provide $50,000 in grant funds that will be awarded to local artists
willing to create appropriate art work for the Gloucester Harbor Walk. The
awards will be administered by the Gloucester
Committee for Arts that will award the funds to artists that qualify. For more information on how to apply for
funds or for more information contact the Committee Chairperson, Judith Hoglander at 978 525-3280
City of Salem to
Conduct Recycled Book Swap
To encourage recycling, the City of Salem will conduct a book swap
on September 15, 2012 at the Salem
Senior Center from 10 until 1.
Participants who wish to participate in the semi-annual swap can drop
off books, CD’s, DVD’s at the Senior Center on 9/14 from 6 to 7. For more information call 978-619-5679.
DCOA Offered State
Senate Candidate Debate
On Wednesday August 27, 2012, an
energetic crowd gathered at the Danvers
Senior Center to participate in a forum sponsored by the Council on Aging Board with the four Democratic candidates who will be
participating in an election to represent several communities in this region of
Massachusetts. A number of questions
were posed to each participant, and I was pleased to be able to moderate the
forum. We are hopeful that the answers
helped those in attendance choose a candidate
Salem Groups Gets CPA
on Ballot this Fall
A group of interested activists from
Salem gathered enough signatures
from residents to have the Community
Preservation Act (CPA) placed on the ballot this fall – after the Salem City Council had voted 6 to 5
against making it a ballot issue. As an
organization that is most interested in preservation, Essex Heritage views the CPA
as very positive the community. If approved
by Salem’s residents, the CPA will provide some new local funding
for historic preservation, the acquisition of open space and the creation of
workforce housing and it will leverage a substantial state match.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Ms. Charleen Bauer
of the Metro Credit Union and a resident of Danvers and the former Branch
Coordinator of Salem Five Bank was
awarded 2012 Credit Union Hero by the trade publication, Bankers and Tradesman. Ms.
Bauer is a Senior Vice President at Metro Credit Union and is a part of
their senior management team. Ms. Bauer
was one of the most valuable members of the branch team when we worked together
in Salem.
COMMMUNITY HEALTH AND ELDER AFFAIRS
Information and
announcements for Seniors from Danvers Senior Center
Are you interested in helping mature drivers find
their perfect fit? The new CarFit program was created by
the American Society of Aging (ASA) and developed in collaboration with the
American Automobile Association (AAA), AARP and the American Occupational
Therapy Association (AOTA). The goals of
the CarFit community-based program are safety and comfort. Its purpose is to promote conversations among
older adults and families about driving safety and the continued need for
mobility options to keep people participating in the life of their communities.
The
Danvers Council on Aging is working
with the Danvers Police Department to offer this exciting education program
here in Danvers. Officer Suzanne Tibbitts will be facilitating a 4 hour
workshop at the Danvers Senior Center on Tuesday, September 18th from 9am-1pm
for any volunteers that would like to participate by becoming trained
technicians. Volunteers must be a licensed driver, be in good physical shape,
have good observational and communication skills and possess time management.
Once volunteers are trained, a CarFit event will be scheduled for the
general senior population sometime in October. If you are interested in
volunteering or would like more information, please contact Pam Parkinson at
978-762-0208.
The
Senior Center Evening Dinners are Back!!
The
first evening dinner of the season will be held on Thursday, September 27th at
5 PM. The meal is provided to the Senior Center participants by Henry’s of
Beverly. The menu will be: Henry’s Homemade Chicken Parmesan with a Penne Pasta
side, tossed in a Marinara Sauce, Caesar Salad, Grated Cheese, Fresh Cannolis—Chocolate
Chip & Traditional and desert & rolls. Tickets will go on sale
Wednesday, September 5th at 10 AM. Tickets are $7.00 per person. As a
reminder, this is reserved seating (tables of 8). If you are part of a group –
one person should come in and purchase all of the tickets together at one time
to guarantee seats together. No seats are held without payment as tables are
filled, first come – first served.
Fall Walking Group in Danvers
Fall is quickly upon us! What a great time to take advantage
of the cooler weather get outside to enjoy the scenery in one of the most
beautiful places in the country at this time of year. Regular walking decreases
blood pressure and cholesterol and increases bone density. It also releases
endorphins hat increase feelings of well-being. If you have interest in joining
a new walking group please contact Lisa Westrate at 978-762- 0208 x105
PERSONAL OBSRVATIONS
Labor Day
What has always been thought of as
the unofficial end of summer is upon us.
The Monday Holiday is always a
signal to get summer events wrapped up and to get ready for a most pleasant
time of the year here in New England. The
next months can be the best time for day trips and visits to local farms and
agricultural fairs and exhibitions. If the
weather continues to be good, for many it can be an extension of an already
excellent tourist season.
Football Season to
Begin
For those of
us who are enamored with the game of football, the season is about to begin at
many different levels. Participation
runs from Youth Football to High School endeavors to local colleges and, of course,
for some of us the NFL. Let’s hope that
the officials’ strike in the NFL is settled soon and the replacement officials
do not spoil an otherwise excellent season.
Neil Armstrong
During the recent Patriots final
pre-season game, the TV featured several incredible shots of th full moon, and
the announcers noted the passing of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot
on the moon. He certainly was both an
American and International hero of enormous proportion. He will be remembered for his incredible
accomplishment.
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