Massachusetts has been significant throughout American history. Plymouth was the second permanent English settlement in North America.

Massachusetts Trip

Oct 2003 and Oct 2007

NANTUCKET

Nantucket is rich in history. The island features one of the highest concentrations of pre-Civil War structures in the United States. The Whaling Museum offers a fascinating look at Nantucket's whaling days. Housed in a former whale oil candle factory, the museum features an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, and nautical memorabilia.

Nantucket is easily reachable year round by ferry boat or plane service. During the busy summer season, the town encourages visitors to limit bringing their cars over by providing a seasonal shuttle system giving the community an essential transportation option around the Island. There are miles of town maintained bike paths, town owned beaches and beautiful harbors for moorings all enhancing the experience on the Island. From the beautiful sunsets of Madaket to the charming small village of Siasconset, the public can view the beautiful landscapes, historic homes or wide spread beaches.

The population of the island soars from approximately 10,000 to 50,000 during the summer months, due to tourists and summer residents.

Nantucket is a great place to relax on the beach with a good book, but it also offers plenty of other diversions. The island's arts and cultural organizations produce a wide array of festivals, concerts, art shows, and theater productions. History buffs flock to the Nantucket Historical Society which offers tours and educational programs on the island's oldest sites.

GLOUCESTER

Gloucester is home to a superb natural harbor in Massachusetts. It is the oldest fishing port on the East Coast. It was settled soon after the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in the early 1620s. Due to an abundant fish supply, the city quickly grew to become a large fishing port in the world. Today Gloucester remains an important fishing port, its working harbor home to a colorful fleet. The port city is a composite of small communities that each have their own unique character. The City's natural beauty and historical character have attracted a resident artist population. In summertime, Gloucester is filled with visitors attracted to its beaches, fresh seafood, and the lure of whale watching.

SALEM

While the City of Salem is abundant in history, having been founded in 1626, today it is a lively urban community, rich in culture and diversity with a vibrant downtown and attractive waterfront. One million visitors from around the globe go to Salem each year. Tourists visit world famous museums, are fascinated with the City's historic architecture and learn about the infamous Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. Salem is also a pedestrian friendly City where residents and visitors can walk around the downtown to all of the eclectic shops, restaurants and attractions.

In 1692, the Salem Witch Trials put Salem on the map. Witch hysteria spread throughout Essex County in MA. Hundreds of accused witches filled the jails awaiting trial; some went insane while waiting; some died in captivity or were hanged. Visit the Witch History Museum and the Witch Dungeon for a lot of fun. We spent Halloween, and so enjoyed walking the streets with the witches, goblins, cowboys, monsters, Friendly Freddies, Gothics, etc.

Check out Salem Harbor and above all, don't miss Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum. It features changing art exhibits, and an extensive collection of Asian, Oceanic, Native American and African art, as well as a selection of New England art that spans three hundred years.

MARBLEHEAD

Founded as a fishing port in 1629, today it is known as the Yachting Capital of America. It's sheltered coves, rocky shores and superb water views truly represent seafaring New England. A coastal community of approximately 21,000 residents, it is located 18 miles north of Boston.

It has a large concentration of colonial buildings. In the historic district, there are over 200 homes pre-Revolutionary era, and it is famous for its contributions to the American Revolution and Civil War. Today, its quaint narrow streets and historic 17th and 18th Century buildings mirror Marblehead as it has existed since its founding in 1629.

FALL RIVER

Fall River is well-known for Lizzie Borden. She was accused of the 1892 axe-murder at her home in the city. It is also known for Battleship Cove, the world's largest collection of WWII Naval Vessels. It houses the USS Massachusetts, the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, the submarine USS Lionfish, and the Missile Corvette Hiddensee.

A harbor on the Taunton River, a tributary to the greater Narragansett Bay of Rhode Island, was only part of the reason a textile-manufacturing center began in the village of Fall River. In 1875, Fall River was undeniably the leading textile center in the United States. By 1925, the peak was reached and a collapse followed soon afterwards.

Massachusetts Photo Gallery

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