Essex Heritage CEO Named Chair of National Heritage Organization

Salem, MA - Annie Harris, CEO of Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage), was recently elected Chairman of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA).

In February, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas held its annual meeting in Washington, DC. Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage was elected as its new chairman for a term of two years. The Alliance represents 40 National Heritage Areas spread across the country from New England to Alaska. The Heritage Areas are affiliated with the National Park Service but they are operated by local management organizations, usually non-profits, and do not control any public property.

The Alliance also hosted a very successful and well-attended congressional reception on Capitol Hill in DC. The co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus for the National Heritage Areas --Congressman Charles Dent (R-PA) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) -- gave strong talks in support of the National Heritage Areas and spoke passionately about the impact that these Areas have had in their legislative districts.

As one of her first duties, Ms. Harris addressed the reception’s 120+ attendees and remarked on the most recent independent Economic Impact Study of the National Heritage Areas by Tripp Umbach of Pittsburgh. The study measured that the National Heritage Areas directly and indirectly generate $12.9 billion to support their regional economies and created and support 148,000 jobs.

Ms. Harris served as the Vice Chair of the Alliance for the past four years so she wasn’t entirely surprised by her election to this volunteer post. Smiling she said “I’m committed to the success of all of the National Heritage Areas across our country. Participating in the Alliance is a great way to do this, but I just wish that I could add a few more hours to every day.”

Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area by developing programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage recreation, education, conservation and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area is comprised of the 34 cities and towns of Essex County.