The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) recently announced the installation of nine 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 an ongoing signage project aiming to support a tourism-based economic initiative for over a decade by showcasing the region’s historic, cultural, and natural places.
The state legislature established the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway in the mid-2000s as a sustainable form of economic development. One of 15 state-designated scenic byways in Massachusetts, the 90-mile Essex Coastal byway guides visitors and residents through one of the country’s most picturesque and historically significant regions: Boston’s North Shore. The route features mile after mile of breathtaking landscapes, historic homes, world-class art and culture destinations, distinctive local businesses, and visitor centers.
The new kiosks will enable byway travelers 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. They also list byway access routes from local major highways and are an accessible resource for the public year-round.
“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 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded a grant for the wayfinding signage and kiosk system, 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. The schedule is as follows:
- Beverly, Wednesday, December 5th, 9:30am
Location: 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
- Ipswich, Wednesday, December 5th at 1:00pm
Location: 113 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929
- 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: 24 Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930
For more information, visit www.EssexHeritage.org.