Essex Heritage

Essex Heritage is a non-profit that manages, preserves, and promotes the Essex National Heritage Area, which encompasses 34 cities and towns in Essex County, Massachusetts. The Essex National Heritage Area was created by an act of Congress in 1996.

• In 2026, Essex Heritage announced the election of six new commisioners to serve between the years of 2026 and 2029. They are as follows:

Dr. Kabria Baumgartner - Professor of history and Africana studies at Northeastern University

Emma Hughen - Education program manager at Ipswich River Watershed Association

Jeff Schwartz - Executive director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce

Matthew Eriksen - Creative director of Good Brand Partners

Dan Gagnon - Historian and Peabody High School Teacher (Author of A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse)

Richard Lindeman - President of Historic Salem, Inc.

• Two new trustees were also announced in 2026.

David Haley - Senior vice president of commercial lending at Salem Five Bank

Dr. Kurt Steinberg - Chief operating officer and director of collection services at the Peabody Essex Museum

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Essex Heritage

Essex Heritage Essex Heritage Website