Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The New Essex River
Cultural District
The cultural district is a compact, walkable area with a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets.
While the cultural district includes assets throughout the town including Cogswell’s Grant and the Essex County Greenbelt’s Cox Reservation, the MCC designated the Essex River Cultural District as the walkable area along Main Street from Spring Street to the old First Methodist Episcopal Church (now Alexander Westerhoff Antiques).
"The Essex River Cultural District is logical and compact, both in terms of geography and concept: this is where the town meets the river. The district meanders past ancient burial grounds, active shipyards and marinas, bustling restaurants, antique shops and galleries. The district offers vistas of Burnham’s Shipyard, the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum, which houses an important collection of marine related antiquities and much of Essex’s rich history, and the stunning Essex River with its salt marsh borders looking out to Hog Island and Crane Beach. Pocket parks line the street with benches for relaxing and taking in the views. The district presents a dynamic and active relationship between history and the river, not one that is frozen in the past: residents are encouraged to get out onto the river to experience it first-hand; the shipbuilding tradition is still alive and well and the town celebrates each new launch; and early antiques share shelf-space with more recent memorabilia and present day crafts."

– MCC

Read the entire press release here