Essex National Heritage Area

Salem Witch Museum

The nearly 500 square miles (1,300 square kilometers) Essex National Heritage Area is a protected area in the east of the state of Massachusetts north of Boston designated by the United States Congress in 1996 as a National Heritage Area .

purpose

The area protects 34 parishes, which - typical in their character of New England - are important for the history of the United States of America. Aboriginal settlements, colonial settlements, seaports and sites of the industrial revolution are connected to their natural environment through this protected area.

Early settlements

Typical bark hut of an aboriginal settlement

Centuries before the arrival of European settlers, the indigenous people of the area - Massachusett and Penacook - lived in harmony with the environment and adapted to the course of the seasons. The approximately 200,000 inhabitants of what is now New England lived in permanent settlements from farming and fishing in the summer and from hunting in the deciduous forests in winter.

The arrival of European explorers such as Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, Martin Pring in 1603, George Weymouth in 1605 and John Smith in 1614 brought the indigenous people into contact with flu and smallpox , which resulted in 95% of the indigenous population becoming extinct by 1630. The settlers arriving since 1620 had little resistance to fear.

Nevertheless, life turned out to be hard for the newcomers - the statements made by the explorers, who mostly stayed here in the summer months, regarding the climate and the nature of the soil, turned out to be inaccurate. The colony established by the Dorchester Company at Cape Ann was not viable and in 1626 it was relocated to a place on the banks of the North River called Naumkeag by the indigenous peoples - the foundation stone for Salem , named after the Hebrew Shalom , was laid.

As early as 1630, after the decision of the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony , John Winthrop , this city lost the dignity of the capital to the south-west of Boston; Salem survived as a trading town for grain, cod and timber, which were exported to England as well as to the growing colonies in North America. In the course of the 17th century, the first industrial plants emerged, such as the ironworks of Saugus, which produced goods demanded by the growing number of settlers using the wood available as fuel from the clearing.

By the middle of the 18th century, growing trade and increasing self-confidence in the American colonies led to the desire for personal freedom and self-government.

Maritime age

Rockport Harbor

By 1770, extensive commercial activity developed in the coastal towns of Cape Ann and the Merrimack River estuary area . The search for outlets for the products of the hinterland and the fish caught both on its own coast and on the Newfoundland Bank led to an intensification of trade with the southern colonies and the West Indies.

In addition to trade, shipbuilding in particular developed, with the shipyards in Amesbury supplying a large part of the ships used by the fishermen of the Grand Banks. In total, 4,000 wooden ships were built by the shipyards of what is now Essex County , plus around 150,000 boats that were mainly used by fishermen on the Grand Banks and at Cape Ann.

In 1790 Salem was the sixth largest city in the young United States of America , and no city in North America had a higher per capita income. In 1807 it was the home port of more than 200 ships that traded around the world and brought immense wealth to merchants such as Elias Hasket Derby , William Gray and Simon Forrester .

The merchandise - wood and fish from New England, tobacco and horses from the more southern colonies, and molasses and rum from the West Indies - were exchanged in triangular trade and with Europe; In the last third of the 18th century, world trade developed. In addition to the Asian trade, the slave trade also played a major role during this period.

The British-American War and the associated naval blockade by British warships initiated the decline of shipping around Cape Ann.

Industrial revolution

Textile factory in New England

The end of the maritime age brought a fundamental change in the economy, and the funds gained in trade had to be invested. Centers of handicrafts developed as early as the 18th century, which in the course of the 19th century became the nucleus of industrial development. The fulling mills of Andover and the tanneries of Peabody were the core of the emerging leather industry, and the textile industry developed in the Merrimack River valley.

The years up to 1850 saw the concentration of workshops into factories that gave wages to thousands of workers. The increasing mechanization in both industry and agriculture brought about a fundamental social change, the previously predominant Anglo-Irish population was supplemented by immigrants from a dozen countries. The use of hydropower in the valley of the Merrimack River led to the development of planned cities, such as Lawrence, where complex structures of industrial and residential complexes, including necessary supplementary infrastructure, were created by the operators of the industrial plants.

By 1900 the localities had become more specialized in individual products; Lawrence was the world's largest manufacturer of worsted wool, Lynn was the center of women's shoes, and Haverhill was also known for making shoes.

The 1912 Bread and Roses Strike in Lawrence led to the implementation of national labor standards.

After the Second World War , the textile and leather industries began to decline.

Protected areas

The protected area at Cape Ann and the lower reaches of the Merrimack River comprises a large number of protected areas, which are connected by the Heritage Area. Under the administration of the National Park Service or the US Fish & Wildlife Service are:

The state parks under the administration of the State of Massachusetts are:

There are also numerous private and other sponsored sites.

Communities

Each of the 34 municipalities offers different sights.

Amesbury

The city located in the north of the Heritage Area offers:

The Amesbury and Salisbury Mills Village Historic District shows the connection between industrial settlements and the textile industry that shaped them in the mid-19th century.
The Lowell's Boat Shop is the oldest shipyard in the country and one of the oldest plants for mass production of standardized goods.
The Rocky Hill Meetinghouse is a meeting house in rural Massachusetts that has largely been preserved in its original state to this day.
The Whittier Home - home of poet John Greenleaf Whittier - was as far as possible remain in their original state in the late 19th century.

Andover

To the northwest of the area is the old industrial town of Andover, which has the following protected properties:

The Addison Gallery of American Art shows temporary exhibitions of American art; the gallery's fund consists of 12,000 works by American artists of all periods.
The Andover Historical Society collects and displays pieces related to the history of the city and its people since the 17th century.
The Shawsheen Village Historic District is a neoclassical-style model estate that combines work, living and recreation.
In the Ward Reservation , more than 17 miles (27 kilometers) of walls separating the fields and meadows of various farms are protected.

Beverly

Located south of the center of the Heritage Area, this community offers:

More than 350 years old, the John Balch House is one of the oldest skeleton buildings in the United States.
The Beverly Room, located in the Beverly Public Library, has testimonies about Beverly and its residents.
Built of brick in the 18th century, Cabot House is now home to the Beverly Historical Society.
Fish Flake Hill , overlooking Beverly Harbor , was named a Historic District in 1971.
Established in 1695, Hale Farm has served as home to several generations of the Hale family.
The 45-acre Long Hill estate was built in 1921 by Ellery Sedgwick, editor of The Atlantic Monthly .
The building complex of the United Shoe Machinery Cooperation , built from 1903 to 1906, is considered by architectural historians to be an important example of industrial architecture at the beginning of the 20th century.

Danvers

Danvers , adjoining Beverly to the west, offers a variety of attractions:

The Danvers Historical Society exhibits a variety of artifacts of importance to Danvers in the Tapley Memorial Hall .
Endicott Park , which extends over around 67 hectares, offers all possibilities for active relaxation .
At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Peabody had today's Glen Magna Farms and Estate converted into a country estate with several gardens.
The Judge Samuel Holten House has represented regional architecture since the late 17th century.
The Rebecca Nurse Homestead is an example of a country mansion from the end of the colonial era on an area of 11 hectares.

Essex

The city of Essex forms the northwestern entrance to Cape Ann, and the must-see sites include:

Choate Island (also known as Hog Island) is an island that offers bird watching and a historic farm.
This country estate owned by the Little family - Cogswell's Grant - is a delight for lovers of the rural atmosphere.
The view over the salt marshes of the Essex River and the barrier islands of Essex Bay from the Cox Reservation is breathtaking.
The Crane Wildlife Refuge is primarily used for the protection of waders and extends around Essex Bay.
The Essex Shipbuilding Museum gives a good look at the technology and history of building wooden ships.
The 20 hectare Stavros Reservation protects the salt marshes around White's Hill, from which there are great views of the coast.

Georgetown

Georgetown , northwest of the center of the reserve, offers the Brocklebank Museum, a farmhouse built in 1668, which served as a tavern from 1754 and today represents the history of the place and its surroundings.

Gloucester

Gloucester , on the east coast of the Atlantic, offers a multitude of cultural and historical attractions:

Built from 1907 to 1934 by HD Sleeper and HM Hanson , Beauport - Sleeper-McCann House houses a collection of porcelain and other objects from the colonial era.
The Cape Ann Historical Museum is particularly known for its extensive collection of paintings by Fitz Hugh Lane .
The schooner ″ Adventure ″ , built in 1926, is now a National Historic Landmark and can be viewed, with tours taking place during the season.
The Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center illustrates the importance of the sea to the region.
The Sargent House Museum , built in 1782, is an outstanding example of Georgian architecture in New England .
The schooner "Thomas E. Lannon" , built in 1903, is available for tours in the Cape Ann area.

Groveland

Groveland , in the valley of the Merrimack River, is home to the Veasey Memorial Park, where the country house and outbuildings of wool manufacturer Arthur C. Veasey - built in 1909 - can be viewed.

Haverhill

Located on the north bank of the Merrimack River across from Groveland, Haverhill has a variety of must-see attractions:

The Buttonwoods Museum is dedicated to the indigenous cultures of New England.
The Rocks Village Historic District , made up of 15 houses from the 18th century, is the adornment of the Merrimack River neighborhood.
The grounds of Tattersall Farm offer an insight into 19th century agriculture.
The streets of the Washington Street Shoe District are an outstanding example of New England's industrial architecture.
The Whittier Family Homestead , built in 1648, was the birthplace of John Greenleaf Whittier .

Ipswich

Centrally located on the coast of the Atlantic, Ipswich offers a number of attractions:

Appleton Farms , established in 1638 , now offers numerous opportunities for recreation, such as horse riding, hiking and bird watching.
Choate Island (see Essex )
The almost 8 km² area around Crane Beach and Castle Hill is also mainly used for active recreation.
The area of the Hamlin Reservation - once a farm - with its hills and marshes is used to protect rice blackbird and small mammals .
The Heard House , built in 1795, symbolizes the tradition of East Asian trade by mixing Western and Eastern cultures.
The Paine House Greenwood Farm site in the Ipswich River estuary offers active recreation in the vicinity of the Paine House, built in 1694.
The Whipple House Museum , built around 1655, is largely in its original state.

Lawrence

The heart of the New England Industrial Revolution is northwest of the county on the Merrimack River:

Established in 1978, the Lawrence History Center shows the history of the city of Lawrence with a focus on immigration .
The Lawrence Heritage State Park , which is spread over the entire city, shows the industrial heritage of the city, and the Boarding House Site is of great cultural and historical importance .
The area in the North Canal Historic District includes 70 properties along the North Canal - industrial plants, dormitories, locks - as well as the Immigrant City Archives.

Lynn

Lynn , near Boston in the southwest, offers a variety of interesting sites:

Opened in 1885, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum displays military memorabilia from the time between the Civil War and the Korean War .
The 18,200 m² Lynn Heritage State Park protects the city's historic harbor front.
The Lynn Museum shows art objects, furniture and everyday items from 1770 to 1870.
The almost 9 km² large area of the Lynn Woods is an attraction for active vacationers.
The Mary Baker Eddy Historic Homestead was the first home of Mary Baker Eddy , the founder of Christian Science .

Manchester

Manchester , on the south coast of Cape Ann, is overshadowed by neighboring Gloucester, but offers

The Ice Age left behind the boulders of the Agassiz Rocks around Beaverdam Hill, which can be explored on a trail.
The peninsula, which once belonged to the family of the same name, is protected by the Coolidge Reservation and offers a variety of biotopes that can be explored on part of the Early Settlement Trail.
The Manchester Village Historic Village area around the harbor shows buildings from the 17th to the 20th centuries on an area of about 1.6 hectares.

Marblehead

Located on a peninsula in Massachusetts Bay , Marblehead offers numerous attractions:

Crowninshield Island offers almost all maritime ecosystems at the entrance to Dolliber Cove, and the view of the area is unique.
Fort Seawall , begun in 1642, is the core of a park on Gale's Head.
The Jeremiah Lee Mansion was built for the merchant Jeremiah Lee in 1768 as a unique example of Georgian architecture .
Almost 200 colonial buildings in the Marblehead Historic District are preserved in the city center and are part of the National Register of Historic Places as an architectural ensemble .
The Marblehead Museum and Historical Society in the Marblehead Historic District focuses on local history and also includes the JOJ Frost Gallery, which features works by this local artist.

Methuen

Located on the New Hampshire border in northwest Essex National Heritage Area, Methuen is known for:

The Methuen Memorial Music Hall is home to the oldest concert organ in the United States.
The industrial area of the Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District on the Spicket River around Gaunt Square offers typical industrial architecture from the time of the industrial revolution.

Nahant

The history of Nahant , located on a peninsula in Broad Sound, is shown by the Nahant Historical Society. The entire period from the establishment of the town on the cattle pastures of Lynn to the excursion destination of Boston citizens and artists is shown.

Newbury

Located on the Atlantic coast, Newbury is home to a number of attractions:

The Dole-Little House was built in 1715 using parts of a previous building and shows the typical style of a simple farmhouse at the beginning of the 18th century.
In the Newbury Historic District, 27 buildings from the years 1650 to 1924 are protected, which offer a good overview of the architectural history of New England.
The Old Town Hill is a drumlin surrounded by salt marshes , which is of great importance in the field of nature conservation due to the mixing of different ecosystems.
The nearly 19 km² Parker River National Wildlife Refuge combines diverse marine habitats and offers wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting and fishing.
The Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, built at the end of the 18th century, now serves as a museum specializing in archeology, architecture and historical research.
The Swett-Ilsley House, begun by one of the first settlers, shows the development of colonial architecture between 1670 and 1756 in a building that was subjected to numerous additions and extensions during this period.
Tristram Coffin House, built in 1654 by Newbury's first settler, is one of the finest examples of 17th century architecture in all of New England.

Newburyport

At the mouth of the Merrimack River in the Atlantic, Newburyport is a center of the Essex National Heritage Area with its attractions:

The Federal Style Caleb Cushing House , built in 1808, is now home to the Museum of the Historical Society of Old Newbury, and the gardens surrounding the house are delightful.
Erected in 1835 as the Customs Building, the Newburyport Custom House Maritime Museum features exhibits on the city's maritime tradition; it also serves as the visitor center for the Essex National Heritage Area.
The Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary owes its excellent national reputation, above all, for the possibility of observing birds in a variety of marine habitats .
Maudslay State Park owes its reputation not only as the home of open-air concerts in summer , the opportunities for active relaxation in a landscape park in the style of the late 19th century are also significant.

North Andover

North Andover, about 30 kilometers north of Boston, is west of Essex County.

The Harold Parker State Forest is a 12 km² state-owned mixed forest that is accessed by a dense network of unpaved roads and trails and offers numerous opportunities for active recreation.
In the Museum of Printing the history of printing and the development of the technology of reproduction before the introduction of photocopiers are presented.
The North Andover Historical Society , founded in 1913, focuses on the representation of everyday life in North Andover between 1700 and 1850, the exhibitions are in Parson Barnard House (1715) and Johnson Cottage (1789).
Stevens-Coolidge Place , which emerged from Ashdale Farm, was the summer home of diplomat John Gardner Coolidge and his wife Helen Stevens Coolidge; In addition to the various gardens, the collections of Asian and European art and American furniture are also of interest.
The Ward Reservation is dedicated to the preservation of New England's agricultural traditions by protecting around 40 parcels of former farm and pasture land and the historic stone walls that border them, some 27 kilometers in length.
Weir Hill is a double drumlin on Lake Cochichewick; from its ridge, opened up by about 6 kilometers of hiking trails, there are beautiful views of Stevens Pond and the valley of the Merrimack River.

Peabody

Located in southwest Essex County, Peabody is home to several attractions:

Brooksby Farm , operated by the city, measures 150 acres, gives visitors an insight into New England's farming traditions while preserving part of the historic cityscape.

The Elizabeth Cassidy Folk Art Museum and the Peabody Art Association Gallery - both in the same building - are used to display the extensive handicraft collections of the Peabody Historical Society and photographs and paintings from the property of the Peabody Art Association.

On the grounds of the Brooksby Fam is the Felton-Smith Historic Site operated by the Peabody Historical Society , consisting of the buildings of the Nathaniel Felton, Sr. House (built in 1644), the Nathaniel Felton, Jr. House (1683) and the Smith Barn including gardens and ancillary facilities.

The George Peabody House Museum keeps the memory of the entrepreneur and philanthropist George Peabody in the house in which he was born in 1795 in what was then known as South Danvers.

In addition to the sites already mentioned, the Peabody Historical Society , founded in 1896, also oversees the General Gideon Foster House, the Ruth Hill Library & Archives in the Osborne-Salata House and the Peabody Historical Fire Museum in the Engine 3 Firehouse.

Rockport

Rockport , located directly on Cape Ann, is a popular excursion destination for the residents of the greater Boston area and also a nationally important artist colony:

The rocky shoreline of 22 hectares of Halibut Point State Park , covered in hailstones and rock pears , with its tidal pools is an easy way to spot snails , hermit crabs and starfish ; in the hinterland is the former granite quarry of Babson Farm Quarry, which is now filled with fresh water.
In the summer of 1922, Elis F. Stenman began building the paper house as a summer house; the building and the furnishings - including a piano - were made entirely of newsprint.
Thacher Island , discovered by Samuel de Champlain in 1605, is home to two 14 meter high lighthouses and can be visited by small boats.

Salem

The city of Salem, located on the bay of the same name - known for the witch trials that took place in 1692 - is one of the highlights of the Essex National Heritage Area:

The Derby Street Historic District , extending from Herbert Street to Blockhouse Square, preserves some outstanding examples of architecture mainly from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including the House of the Seven Gables (1668) - made famous in the 1851 published novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne - on Turner Street.

The McIntire Historic District , which is dedicated to the work of the architect and sculptor Samuel McIntire , who was born in Salem in 1757, comprises over 300 buildings of architectural historical importance - from the elegant captain's house to the simple hut of a craftsman .

Misery Island - located in the Atlantic off the coast of Salem - offers a variety of biotopes as well as the ruins of both the Misery Island Syndicate complex, which went bankrupt in the 1920s, and the cottages that were destroyed in a great fire in 1926, which are on a 4-kilometer hiking trail be developed.

The oldest museum in the United States, the Peabody Essex Museum , is an outstanding tourist highlight, focusing on Asian and American art, as well as the maritime history of the United States.

The Phillips House gives an insight into the development of a wealthy merchant family over five generations up to the beginning of the 20th century.

Salem , founded in 1930 as the oldest museum dedicated to ″ history you can touch ″, was founded in 1630: Pioneer Village Salem recreates the living conditions of immigrants at the beginning of the 17th century.

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is the oldest protected historic site in the United States; On an area of around 4 hectares, it shows outstanding examples of the typical architecture and urban development of New England at the end of the 18th century.

The Salem Witch Museum is a reminder of the developments in 1692 that led to the execution of Bridget Bishop and other accused near the site of the present museum, and the history of witchcraft from early to modern times and the history of the witch hunt in the Generally dedicated.

The Fame of Salem is the faithful replica of the schooner of the same name from the British-American War, which was launched in 2003 and sank in the Bay of Fundy in 1814 ; in the summer it offers the possibility of sailing trips to Massachusetts Bay .

Acquired in 1675 by Judge Jonathan Corwin and now known as Witch House on Essex Street, it is the only building in Salem with a direct relationship to the events of 1692; Today, its premises are home to an exhibition that brings visitors closer to the lifestyle of the late 17th century and at the same time reflects on the events of that year.

Salisbury

Located north of the Merrimack River on the border with New Hampshire, Salisbury has one of the most popular sandy beaches in Massachusetts, the Salisbury Beach State Reservation , which stretches over six kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean.

Saugus

In the southwest of Essex County on the border of Middlesex and Suffolk Counties , Saugus is best known for its early colonial ironworks, but it also offers:

The almost 260 hectare Breakheart Reservation has two lakes that are particularly suitable for bird watching; there is also a fascinating view of Boston .
The Saugus Historical Society , founded in 1928, runs a small museum dedicated to local history and organizes various festivals.
The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site , which mainly protects the ironworks built in 1646, is a highlight for people interested in industrial history, the process of iron processing using locally produced charcoal with the help of water power is presented and preserved here.

Swampscott

The small Swampscott , located on Nahant Bay, has Fisherman's Beach , a beach that is surrounded by some interesting artifacts from the history of the Massachusetts Bay country.

Topsfield

Centrally located in Essex County, Topsfield is home to a number of attractions:

The approximately 290 hectare Bradley Palmer State Park is particularly known for its stocks of rhododendrons , especially when it blooms in June, the park is a magnet for residents of the greater Boston area, as the park offers extensive opportunities for active recreation.
The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary stretches for 13 kilometers along the Ipswich River and, with its different habitats, offers a habitat mainly for birds, which can be observed from an observation tower and a network of paths about 20 kilometers in length.
The Parson Capen House (1683) and the Joseph Gould Barn (1710) - both operated by the Topsfield Historical Society - are excellent examples of early colonial architecture.

Wenham

The small village of Wenham is in the heart of the Heritage Area; it is home to the Wenham Museum, which shows everyday objects from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

tourism

The size of the protected area is due to the number of visitor centers, which provide information on all sites in this area:

Gloucester Welcoming Center - Gloucester (Open Seasonally)
Haverhill Historical Society - Haverhill (open daily)
Hall Haskell House - Ipswich (open seasonally)
Lawrence Heritage State Park - Lawrence (Open Daily)
Lynn Heritage State Park - Lynn (Open Seasonally)
Custom House Maritime Museum - Newburyport (Open Seasonally)
George Peabody House Civic Center - Peabody (open daily)
Salem Maritime National Historic Site - Salem (open daily)
Massachusetts State Visitor Information Center - Salisbury (located at Exit 60 of Interstate 95 / open daily)
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site - Saugus (open daily)