Tag: Federal Highway Administration

Essex National Heritage Heather Goss, Project Manager, shares save the date notice

Ribbon Cuttings – Essex Coastal Scenic Byway Kiosk Installations save the dates

• BEVERLY, Wednesday, December 5th, 9:30am
  Location: 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915

  IPSWICH, Wednesday, December 5th at 1:00pm
  Location: 36 South Main Street, Ipswich, MA 01938

  LYNN, Friday, December 7th, 9:00am
  Location: Intersection of Union and Broad Street, Lynn, MA 01901

  SALEM, Friday, December 7th, 11:00am
  Location: 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970

  SALISBURY, Friday, December 7th, 4:00pm
  Location: Maria Miles Visitor Center, Exit 60 on Route 95, South Bound, Salisbury, 01952

  MARBLEHEAD, Monday, December 10th, 1:00pm
  Location: Chamber’s Information Booth, at the intersection of Pleasant, Essex and Spring Streets, Marblehead, MA 01945

  NEWBURYPORT, Tuesday, December 11th, 9:30am
  Location: Information Booth, 35 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA 01950

  ESSEX, Tuesday, December 11th, 1:00pm
  Location: 113 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929

  GLOUCESTER, Wednesday, December 19th, 10:00am
  Location: Stage Fort Park, 24 Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930

About the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway kiosks:
The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) is pleased to announce the installation of 9 informational kiosks in communities along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, a state-designated route linking 14 coastal cities and towns from Lynn to Salisbury. These kiosks are a part of a wayfinding signage project that has been ongoing for over a decade with the goal of supporting a tourism-based economic initiative by showcasing the region’s historic, cultural, and natural places. Envisioned as a sustainable form of economic development, the route of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway was established by the state legislature in the mid-2000s. The 90-mile Essex Coastal byway is one of 15 state-designated scenic byways in Massachusetts and guides visitors and residents through one of the country’s most picturesque and historically significant regions – Boston’s legendary North Shore. The route features mile after mile of breathtaking vistas, historic homes, access to world-class art and culture destinations, distinctive local businesses and visitor centers. With the addition of these kiosks to the existing wayfinding signage, travelers of the byway will be able to access visitor- related information about the communities and the Essex National Heritage Area, stimulating the exploration of the byway region’s extensive heritage sites, recreational resources, and visitor services. Additionally, these kiosks list byway access routes from local major highways and are an accessible resource for the public year-round. From south to north byway communities are Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. “Essex Heritage is working to support our local economy and the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway is an excellent vehicle for promoting tourism within these communities,” said Essex Heritage CEO Annie Harris, “The kiosks help bring attention to our enduring local landmarks and demonstrate how heritage sites continue to financially benefit the businesses and residents of this coastal region.” The wayfinding signage and kiosk system was funded by a grant from the Federal Highway administration (FHWA) with matching funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The hardware and panels were designed by Omloop Design based in Framingham, with strong support and direction from stakeholders within the represented communities*. The kiosks were fabricated and installed by Design Communications Ltd (DCL). Essex Heritage is organizing ribbon cutting ceremonies for each community receiving a Byway Kiosk. 

*In Gloucester most recently those assisting ENA with the Kiosks include Marie Santos, Gloucester’s Community Development (and Voice of Gloucester HarborWalk narration), and Elizabeth Carey, Director Discover Gloucester.

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area:
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, visit http://www.EssexHeritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.