Essex

Essex is nestled on the Atlantic coast within beautifully preserved hills forest fields and wetlands--but the serene landscape belies the towns rich history. According to tradition the first Essex boat was built in an attic around 1660. Eventually this shipbuilding industry would create a thriving town as it developed into one of the largest producers of fishing schooners in the country. By its incorporation in 1819 Essex was a renowned community of fishing farming shipbuilding and other industries. Over time Essex became the birthplace of the fried clam sent a native son to the baseball major leagues acquired a Paul Revere church bell and raised a barn that is now the oldest still in use in America. With a newly gathered collection of vintage images Essex reveals a microcosm of American culture and growth telling the story of leading patriots entrepreneurs Civil War heroes and hardworking everyday citizens.