ENHC Preservation Programs

Scenic Byways Program

The Essex National Heritage Area Scenic Byway is a 24-mile route consisting of portions of Massachusetts Routes 1A and 133 extending from Gloucester Harbor to the Merrimack River and traversing six communities. The Massachusetts General Court enacted Chapter 117 of the Acts of 2003, designating the route as a state Scenic Byway, on November 20, 2003. The Essex National Heritage Commission led the effort for state scenic byway designation and continues to coordinate the byway planning effort as a resource to the six byway communities. See also: National Scenic Byways Program

Heritage Landscape Inventory

Heritage Landscape Inventory
The Essex National Heritage Commission, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), undertook a 15-month inventory of the region’s heritage landscapes to assist and unite local land conservation and historic preservation efforts. Twenty-four of Essex County’s 34 communities participated in the inventory. Over 300 residents attended local identification meetings and the inventory’s consultant team conducted fieldwork in all participating communities. In all, over 1,300 heritage landscapes have been documented, the largest such undertaking in Massachusetts since 1982. Products of the Essex County Reconnaissance Survey include community planning reports and an agenda for action produced in conjunction with the Landscape of Opportunity Symposium.

Partnership Grant Program

The Partnership Grant Program provides one of the few sources of reliable grant funding for heritage preservation and interpretation in the region. During its first six years, the grant program supported important historic education, interpretation and preservation projects. In 2004 the categories of Historical Records and Trails & Greenways were added to the program. 190 projects have been awarded in 33 communities totaling over $1.2 million granted to local and regional non-profit organizations and to municipalities. In turn, these grants have spurred more than $4.5 million in additional investment in these projects for a remarkable leverage rate of 4:1.

History in the Making

History in the Making
A unique after-school program that combines history and art in an enriching experience for students of different ages and background, History in the Making (HIM) seeks to instill community pride and self-expression in children who have few opportunities to learn about the heritage of their communities. In its first six years, the program has served more than 200 children and given them both a sense of pride and a respect for others.

Historical Records Initiative

The Historical Records Initiative has been developed to preserve and facilitate the public availability of archives and other historical records in Essex County. Through the ENHC Historical Records Council (HRC), the Commission and its partnering organizations - the Northeast Document Conservation Center, the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System,and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners - work to preserve and make available the region's extraordinary legacy of paper-based archives. HRC produces workshops, usually twice a year, on a variety of topics having to do with historical records.