April 16, 2025 – The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage), a non-profit that manages and provides numerous programs preserving and enhancing Essex County’s historic, natural and cultural places, welcomed business and community leaders from around Essex County to its Annual Spring Meeting on Thursday, April 10 at Hawthorne by the Sea in Swampscott.

Welcome remarks were given by State Senator Brendan Crighton, State Representative Jennifer Armini, Gino Cresta (Swampscott Acting Town Administrator), and MaryEllen Fletcher (Swampscott Select Board Chair). Marzie Galazka (Director of Community and Economic Development) gave an update on plans for the Hawthorne by the Sea property, newly acquired by the Town of Swampscott. Nancy Lusignan Schultz (Swampscott Historical Commission Chair) gave an update on the status of efforts to save the General Glover Farmhouse. Essex Heritage also announced its newly elected Commissioners and presented a 2025 Pioneer in Partnership Award.

New Commissioners Elected
Essex Heritage is governed by an 18-member Board of Trustees and supported by over 100 Commissioners who live and/or work within Essex County. These Essex Heritage Commissioners serve as representatives of community organizations, educational institutions, and historic, cultural, and natural resources of the region. “Our local Commissioners represent a variety of institutions across the Heritage Area and serve an important role as ambassadors and advocates for this region,” said CEO, Annie C. Harris. “Essex Heritage is grateful for the support of these new Commissioners as partners in promoting the unique assets of Essex County.” 

The following individuals were elected to serve the Essex National Heritage Commission:

New Commissioners, 2025-2028

- Tim Collins: Former CEO of EBSCO
- Tony Collins: Transportation Planning Coordinator at the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission 
- Joanna Kerr: Executive Director of North Andover Historical Society
- Suzi Jordan: Director of Development at Salem Sound Coastwatch
- Vijay Joyce: Executive Director of the Pickering Foundation and the Founder of Rekindled History Tours
- James Russell: Executive Director of the Custom House Maritime Museum

Pioneer in Partnership Award
Essex Heritage honors those who have demonstrated remarkable partnerships within the Essex National Heritage Area to accomplish significant achievements.

This award was given to recognize the remarkable collaboration needed to organize an impressive reenactment on February 22, 2025, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the North Bridge Encounter of Leslie’s Retreat in Salem. The morning began with a program at St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, which was the historical place of worship for General Gage. From there, attendees walked to North Bridge to witness the Salem Resistance reenactment at its original location. Spectators saw the scene unfold as the British Redcoat Troops arrived under the command of Lt. Colonel Alexander Leslie, depicting the moment when Salem’s citizens stood their ground, ultimately resolving the conflict through negotiation rather than bloodshed. Almost 300 historical reenactors portrayed the military units and townspeople. It was a wonderfully entertaining and educational event. 

This successful reenactment would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of several organizations. While the Leslie's Retreat Steering Committee has been valiantly leading the commemoration for many years, the 250th reenactment was a special feat of partnership and collaboration. Members of the core planning committee attended weekly meetings, did several walk-throughs of the location, worked out logistics, coordinated participants, and much more. 

Members of the core North Bridge Reenactment Committee recognized were:
- Leslie’s Retreat - Salem Resistance Steering Committee (Becky Putnam, Diana Dunlap, Jonathan Streff)
- City of Salem with Salem 400+ (Virginia Cherol and Jeremy Fiske)
- Michael Graves of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot
- Henry Rutkowski of the Danvers Alarm List Company
- St. Peters - San Pedros Episcopal Church (Reverend Nathan Ives and Irene Axelrod)
- Revolution 250 (Jonathan Lane)

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area
Essex Heritage is the non-profit management entity for Essex National Heritage Area, one of sixty-two heritage partnership parks of the National Park Service. Essex Heritage promotes public/private partnerships and develops and implements programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage regional awareness of the unique historic, cultural, and natural resources found within the Area. For more information, visit www.essexheritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.