Free Guide to Exploring the Coast of Essex County

ESSEX HERITAGE IS GOING COASTAL!

June 11, 2009 (Salem, MA) ‘ Staying close to home this summer? Looking for something fun to do? Celebrate the coast! The Essex National Heritage Commission has published a new, free brochure, The Maritime Guide – Exploring the Coast of Essex County, highlighting the many must-see attractions along Boston’s North Shore. Use this guide to explore lighthouses, beaches, historic homes and much more!

Exploring the Coast of Essex County features an array of sites situated along the coast, many just a short drive or train ride away! Explore Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, the country’s oldest continuously operated boat shop, and learn about the fishing industry that has flourished in Essex County at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. Visit the sprawling mansions of merchants who grew wealthy from international trade, and see their riches on display at the Peabody Essex Museum and the Cape Ann Museum. Walk along colonial wharves in Salem, and take in the picturesque views of the many lighthouses that dot the shore.

Organized alphabetically by community, the guide is designed to expose visitors and residents to the strong maritime heritage and spectacular beauty of the Coast of Essex County, and will serve as a great resource for your travels. The guide also features a comprehensive listing of the lighthouses that stretch along the coast, including the best spots to view them from land.

This summer, in coordination with the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Essex National Heritage Commission will celebrate all things maritime! Discover the spectacular homes of merchants and captains during the Maritime Mansions at Twilight program, coordinated by the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www.EscapesNorth.com/maritime_mansions
or call 800-742-5306 for a full schedule. In August, experience maritime history firsthand at the Salem Maritime Festival on August 1 from 10:00AM to 8:00PM at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Then from August 13 ‘ 17, Friendship of Salem will sail to the historic city of Newburyport, where Friendship will be berthed at Waterfront Park, and will be open for FREE public, dockside tours. Mark your calendars!

The free guide will be available at Essex County TD Bank branches and at the ten affiliated Essex National Heritage Area visitor centers in Gloucester, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Newburyport, Peabody, Salem and Saugus. The guide is also available on-line at www.essexheritage.org.

For more information about the Essex National Heritage Area’s maritime heritage, or to download a copy of The Maritime Guide – Exploring the Coast of Essex County, visit www.essexheritage.org/maritime.

Exploring the Coast of Essex County was funded, in part, by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Business/Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. This brochure was made possible by a grant administered by the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. For regional planning, visit www.northofboston.org and www.escapesnorth.com. Additional funding was provided by TD Bank.
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ABOUT ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE COMMISSION
The Essex National Heritage Area is comprised of the 34 communities of Essex County, and it is a designation made by US Congress in recognition of the important role that this region played in American history and the significant heritage sites are still extant in the region. The Commission is the non-profit management entity for the Area., and works, in collaboration with the National Park Service, to promote public/private partnerships and develop programs that enhance, preserve and encourage regional awareness of the Area’s unique historic, cultural and natural resources. For more information, visit Essex Heritage at www.essexheritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.