April 25, 7:30 pm at the Rockport Art Association “Cape Ann’s Artistic Melting Pot” lecture by Jim McAllister. $10.00 Admission.

For the past 25 years Jim McAllister of Derby Square Tours has made local istory “come alive” through his tours, lectures, courses, writings and photographs. This spring, Essex Heritage is proud to honor Jim, and help him in his efforts to repay the public that has supported him for the past quarter of a century, by sponsoring a series of events that will highlight his entertaining reflections on the region’s history and culture while raising funds for the ENHC Partnership Grant Program.

The series will culminate on May 28 when Essex Heritage and the National Park Service present Jim with the inaugural Essex Heritage Hero Award, kicking off a new tradition of honoring individuals whose professional or volunteer work exemplifies the mission work of ENHC.