Essex Heritage Membership Events
Make Trails & Sails Last All Year Long!
As a member of the Essex National Heritage Commission there are many opportunities to connect to resources in this region. In September Trails & Sails offers hundreds of opportunities to explore the region, but membership makes the fun last all year long. Your connections to place foster stewardship enriching both your life and ensuring the longevity of the natural, historic and cultural treasures here in Essex County, MA. Enjoy Essex Heritage as well as featured partner events. Both offer special Essex Heritage membership rates to attend, just let them know you are a member! Join us and experience the best of the region throughout the year!
Upcoming Essex Heritage Events
Sunday, April 21, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Earth Day Celebration at Batchelder’s Landing, RowleyAnne Giblin, PhD will share her research on sea level change in Plum Island Sound followed by a clean up of Batchelder’s Landing and Rowley Saltmarshes. Click here to learn more about this event and to get driving directions.
Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.
Sunday, April 28, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
What's This Tree? at The Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929Forester Mike Simmons will guide you on a walk through the Cox Reservation showing you how to recognize trees by their needles, bark, twigs, buds, and leaves. Bring your mobile device and use the free electronic field guide leafsnap. Click here to learn more about this event and to get driving directions.
Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Paranormal Salem
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Join Kimberly Bizjak for an evening to explore the paranormal side of Salem's history. Kimberly is the owner of Paranormal Salem, a researched-based paranormal society and tour company. She also teaches Paranormal Studies at NSCC. You'll learn the history and theory of ghost hunting, debunking, and equipment. She'll share her spooky findings in Salem, and maybe find some more during the lecture!
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.
Saturday, May 18, 2013 • 8am - 12pm Photo Safari featuring Olympus
Cogswell's Grant
60 Spring Street, Essex, MA 01929
Join us at Cogswell’s Grant, a 165-acre coastal farm along the banks of the Essex River, to photograph the pristine marshland, rolling hayfields, and beautiful views of the Essex River stretching to the sea.
Reservations required. Click here for more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.
Saturday, May 18, 2013 • 9am - 2pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Trail Association Presents:
Discover Hamilton Trail Walk
Patton Park, South Hamilton
Essex County Trail Association invites you to the grand re-opening celebration and trail walk for the Discover Hamilton Trail!
The Discover Hamilton Trail was created in the 1990s as an 8-mile loop that would highlight the significant open spaces and natural features of Hamilton, including Harvard Forest, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Bradley Palmer State Park, The Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms Grass Rides and Essex County Greenbelt Association's Pingree Reservation. ECTA has been working with the Town of Hamilton and private landowners over the course of the last year to re-route the starting location and portions of the trail off of roadways to create a safer and more welcoming experience.
Where to go: Meet at Patton Park, behind the baseball field, at 9:00am for a brief celebration and thank-you to those involved with the creation of and recent improvements to the trail. We will then begin our trail walk, which includes a 1.2-mile walk through the Myopia Schooling Field and Harvard Forest to access the start of the 8-mile loop trail.
Walkers are welcome to join the full 10 mile walk, or follow the trail halfway and be shuttled back to the start at Patton Park. The "halfway" point will be at the Topsfield Road footbridge to Bradley Palmer State Park. We should be at this point by about 11:30 am. Refreshments will be provided at the bridge. 10-mile walkers will continue on the loop trail and should finish at Patton Park at about 2:00 pm. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed on all parts of the Discover Hamilton Trail.
Reservations required. This event is free, but please click here to register online to attend.
Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 8am - 12pm Photo Safari featuring Tamron
The Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Capture magnificent views of the Great Marsh, the Essex River, the back of Crane Beach, and Castle Hill and Choate Island from the Cox Reservation!
Reservations required. Click here for more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.
Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 9:00am - 12:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Celebrate National Trails Day, Barrett Reservation, MiddletonCelebrate National Trails Day by helping to construct a new path through the woods at the Barrett Reservation, Middleton. Work boots and enthusiasm welcome! Stay tuned for more information and to get driving directions.
Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.
June 14 - 16, 2013 Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
24th Annual Art in the Barn Weekend
at the Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929Mark your calendars! Art in the Barn, an art show benefitting Essex County Greenbelt, will be held June 14-16 at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex. Enjoy this weekend long exhibition and sale! Proceeds benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts. $5.00 one-time parking fee.
Click here to learn more about this event.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Giles Laroche
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s noted children’s author and illustrator will delight the audience (young and old) with demo of his art form, discussion and reading of his latest book “If You Lived Here - Houses of the World.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Hank Phillipi Ryan
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
How does an Emmy winning reporter become a best-selling author of fast-paced murder mysteries? Hank will share how she went from a reporter at Rolling Stone Magazine to the US Senate and then to under-cover investigations for NBC to following her dreams.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.
Saturday, September 21, 2013 • 2:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Robyn Kanter
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Robyn Kanter, of Kanter Design Associates, worked under Dan Foley when he relandscaped the garden and has remained true to its vision. She will tell the story of a garden that is one of the oldest on the North Shore, and arguably one of the oldest anywhere that has remained virtually unchanged by time and fashion.Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Brunonia Barry
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s own NY Times Best-selling author, Baccante award winner & Strnad Fellowship recipient presents her latest novel fresh off the press.Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.
Past Events & Photos
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Jim McAllister
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Sunday, April 14, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Greenscaping Workshop at The Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 • 8:00am - 10:00am Essex Heritage Annual Spring Meeting
Winnekenni Castle
347 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830
Sunday, April 7, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Urban Birding with Groundwork Lawrence
60 Island Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
Sunday, April 7, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Vernal Pond Exploration at Tompson Street Reservation
Fernald Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Sunday, March 24, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm 
Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Signs of Rebirth at the Willowdale Meadow
Ipswich Road, Topsfield, MA 01983
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Michele McPhee
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Friday, March 15, 2013 • 7:00 - 9:00pm Featured Partner Event
Andover Historical Society Presents:
“What’s it Worth” Antiques Appraisal Event
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
6 Locke Street, Andover, MA 01810
Back by popular demand, the Andover Historical Society hosted “What’s it Worth” - an antiques appraisal event with Appraiser and Auctioneer and owner of Royka Gallery in Boston, Paul Royka.
Sunday, February 24, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Wildlife Tracking at the Arthur Ewell Reservation
Haverhill Street, Rowley, MA 01969
Click here to learn more about this property.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 • 10:00am Strange Typographic Tales
The Museum of Printing
800 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, MA 01845 (map it)
We learned about the history of type and the type designs that we see every day as industry expert and President of the Museum of Printing Frank Romano shared some of the strange typographic tales that he has collected in his travels around the world!
See photos from this event here.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Snowshoe/Hike the Warren-Weld Woodland
Apple Street, Conomo Drive, Essex, MA 01929Click here to learn more about this property.
Thursday, January 17, 2013 • 6:00pm Old Ipswich Rum Tour & Tasting
Turkey Shore Distilleries
23 Hayward Street, Unit 8, Ipswich, MA 01938
An evening reconnecting to a significant part of New England's past, and tasting a line of hand-crafted, local rums at Turkey Shore Distilleries. See photos from this event here.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Strong Women at the Gables: An Orchestra at Her Fingertips
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Saturday, December 8, 2012 • 10:00am Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest Reception
The National Park Service Visitor Center
2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970 (map it)
Learn more about the Photo Contest and see the winning images of 2012 online here.
Thursday, November 8, 2012 • 8:00am
Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting
The Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm
38 Felton Street Peabody, MA 01960 (map it)
8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast Reception
8:30 - 10:00 AM: Business Meeting
See photos from this event here.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Strong Women at the Gables: Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, a Notable Local Figure with International Connections
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Saturday, November 3, 2012 • 10:00am Behind the Scenes Tour of the Danvers Archival Center
Peabody Institute Library of Danvers,
15 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923 (map it)
See photos from this event here.
Friday, October 26, 2012 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The Andover Historical Society Presents:
Trials & Taverns: A lecture with Dr. Emerson Baker
97 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810
September 21-23 & 28-30 
Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks & Water
Visit Essex Heritage's Facebook page to see and post photos from the weekend festivities.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 • 5:00pm TRAILS & SAILS Kick-off Reception:
A Taste of TRAILS & SAILS with TD Bank, Essex Heritage and the Beverly Historical Society!
TD Bank, 175 Cabot Street, Beverly MA 01915
See photos from this event here.
Friday, August 3 & Saturday, August 4, 2012
Featured Partner Event
The National Park Service at Salem Maritime National Historic Site Presents:
The Salem Maritime Festival
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
193 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Photo Safari featuring Canon
Long Hill & the Sedgwick Gardens
572 Essex Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Photo Safari featuring Nikon
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
See photos from this event here.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Strong Women at the Gables: Sophia Peabody and Her Sisters
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Saturday, June 30, 2012 • 8:00am - 12:00pm
Photo Safari featuring Tamron
Lawrence Heritage State Park
1 Jackson Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
See photos from this event here.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Strong Women at the Gables: Susannah Ingersoll and Her Role in the Business Community
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Endecott Pear Tree Program
Partnership Lecture Series
Mass General/ North Shore Center for Outpatient Care
102 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA 01923
See photos from this event here.
Saturday, June 16, 2012 • 8:00am - 12:00pm
Photo Safari featuring Sigma
Maritime Gloucester
23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930
See photos from this event here.
Saturday, May 26, 2012 • 8:00am - 12:00pm Photo Safari featuring Olympus
Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
See photos from this event here.
Saturday, June 9, 2012 • 8:30am - 11:00am Walk the Old Eastern Marsh Trail
Friedenfels Road Parking Area
Salisbury, MA
See photos from this event here.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 • 8:00am - 10:00am Essex Heritage Annual Spring Meeting
Cascia Hall at Merrimack College
315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01810
See photos from this event here.
Monday, April 2, 2012 • 11:00am Featured Partner Event
Salem Sound Coast Watch Presents:
Natural History as Public History: Great Rivers of Salem
Sullivan Building Room 108, North Campus, Salem State University
Monday, March 5, 2012 • 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Featured Partner Event
Salem Sound Coast Watch Presents:
Karen Ristuben performs "Just One Word..."
Endicott College Center for the Arts
Rose Performance Hall
376 Hale Street, Beverly MA 01910
Sunday, February 26, 2012 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Wildlife Tracking
Little River Nature Trail
Newburyport, MA
Saturday, February 25, 2012 • 10:00am-12:00pm
Winter Woods Hike
Camp Denison Conservation Area
84 Nelson Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
See photos from this event here.
Saturdays, January 21 thru
February 25, 2012 • 3:00 - 4:30pmEssex Heritage Featured Partner Event
Historic New England Presents:
Winter Weekends at the Phillips House
34 Chestnut Street
Salem, MA 01970
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 •7:00pm
An Evening 'Melopoeia' Celebrating the
170th Wedding Anniversary of Nathaniel & Sophia
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Saturday, February 18, 2012 • 1:00 - 3:00pm The Shipwrecks of Stellwagen Bank
Maritime Gloucester
23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 • 5:00 - 9:00pm Fundraiser at the Landing to Benefit Essex Heritage
81 Front Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Sunday, January 29, 2012 • 1:00 - 3:00pm Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Indian Meadow Snow Shoeing
168 Garden Street, West Newbury, MA
Event Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Please note, events may be held rain or shine. Please dress accordingly! Should Essex Heritage and a host partner need to cancel an event due to unsafe weather conditions or another unforeseen cause, registrants will receive a full refund for their tickets.In order to manage events, individual cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event date to be eligible to receive a refund. Admission will be refunded less the cost of the electronic ticketing fee associated with credit card and online purchases. Those tickets purchased by check will receive a full refund. Cancellations received after this deadline will be considered for a refund on an individual basis. Cancellations are accepted via email to Emily OR by phone
978-740-0444, and must be received before the cancellation deadline. Thank you for your understanding.