Salem Projects Benefit from Essex Heritage Grants

Salem, MA - A number of local projects recently received Essex National Heritage grants.

The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage), in keeping with its long tradition of supporting the region’s unique cultural heritage, announced the 2016 Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program recipients at the Commission’s Spring Meeting in Newburyport on April 14. Over the next year, the 20 grant recipients will be working to implement a diverse range of educational, interpretive, and preservation projects throughout Boston’s North Shore.

“We recognize the importance of supporting local organizations” said Annie Harris, Essex Heritage CEO, “and we are proud that we are able to award twenty partnership grants this year – not only in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Congressional Act that designated the Essex National Heritage Area but also because we know that this seed money greatly impacts the region by leveraging more investments in Essex County.”

The Salem grants were awarded to:

City of Salem

The City of Salem will use its Essex Heritage grant to implement the first phase of a project to fabricate and install interpretive signs in Salem’s historic neighborhoods. The research and design of the panels was previously funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Each of the 13 interpretive sign panels feature maps, photographs, and text highlighting the historical significance of the individual Salem neighborhoods. In addition to fostering a deeper appreciation of the city’s heritage amongst its residents, the project supports efforts to diversify Salem’s tourist appeal beyond the witchcraft hysteria of 1692 by promoting its maritime and cultural heritage.

Historic Salem, Inc.

For most of its 60 years as Salem’s preservation advocacy group, Historic Salem, Inc. has been placing historical house markers on Salem buildings. This year, the organization will use a Partnership Grant to research and install eleven markers in the historic Point Neighborhood. The working class neighborhood is significant as an immigrant enclave and the wooden plaques, which will be printed in French, Spanish and English, will underscore the contributions its residents have made to the city. Historic Salem will share its research into title, probate, and social history records with building owners as a means of raising awareness and instilling pride within the underserved neighborhood.

Salem Sound Coastwatch

Salem Sound Coastwatch has been working since 1990 to increase the public's knowledge, appreciation, and stewardship of the coastal resources of Salem Sound and its watershed. Through programs such School to Sea, the organization facilitates student connections to natural resources with experiential, place-based activities such as tide pooling, marsh exploration, and educational boat trips onboard the Endeavour. The 45’ vessel is equipped with an underwater camera, microscopes for viewing plankton, and access to a lobster trap. Last year Salem Sound Coastwatch provided place-based experiences to nearly 2,800 students. To support this year’s activities the organization will use an Essex Heritage grant to purchase binoculars and life jackets specially designed for children.

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, MA. For more information, visitwww.EssexHeritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.