Thank you from all of us at the Essex Street Inn for making 2012 a great year. Whether you visited Newburyport for business or other. It was our pleasure to host your overnight accomidations. We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.

Best,
Essex Street Inn management and Staff

Ode’ to Newburyport in the fall and The Essex Street Inn

By: Kathy Ross

Fall... Such an exciting season, unlike the others...

The leaves are changing colors... the kids are settled back in school... the feel in the air is crisp and cool

The days may be getting short. But why let that stop you from wanting to visit Newburyport

Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure... a trip to Newburyport is always a memory treasure

Lot’s of things to see and do... historic sights, restaurants, and shops...

So  much to see in just one day...  why not begin by booking a relaxing overnight stay with us ,where all those places are just a few skips and hops

After traveling from across the miles... Our friendly staff will greet to with smiles

Our rooms are inviting, a great place to rest...We will even give you a free continental breakfast

So ask your self this question; Do I need to get away? If the answer is yes...Make your reservation on-line or call us directly today...

978 465 3148

www.essexstreetinn.com

LightHouses of Newburyport

Lighthouses of Newburyport

Newburyport is one of Massachusetts’ smallest cities. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this city was a center for shipbuilding and maritime trade along the Merrimack River.  It became a major center for trade from Europe, the West Indies, and China.

During the Colonial period, fires were set on Plum Island’s beaches to aid mariners due to the dangerous shifting of the currents at the mouth of the river.

 In 1783, the Marine Society of Newburyport built two day beacons as range lights and employed locals to hoist lanterns on top of them each night. Later in 1788, two wooden lighthouses known as the Newburyport Harbor Lights were built on a barrier island that shadows the Massachusetts’ shore for nearly nine miles, between the mouth of the Merrimack River in the north, and the Ipswich River in the South known as Plum Island. Built by the locals it provided more needed help for Mariners.  These original two towers were built on movable foundations so their positions could be changed easily as the sandbars around Plum Island shifted.  Mariners knew that if the lights lined up then they were following the best route to enter the harbor. 

Brutal weather often posed a hazard for these lighthouses and its keepers especially in 1808 when both towers were blown over. In December 1839 alone, three storms destroyed over 300 vessels and nearly washed away one of the towers.

In 1873  it came apparent for vessels entering the harbor two miles up the river that another set of range lights were needed to help the mariners navigate near the waterfront of Newburyport Harbor where a dangerous reef known as “Goose Rocks” or “Half Tide”. This was when The Newburyport Harbor Range Station was built.

 The front light is on an iron tower, conical in form, 14 feet six inches high, located on Bayley’s new wharf. The focal plane is 25 feet above sea level. The rear light is about 350 feet from the front light, on a brick tower, pyramidal in form, 32 feet high, and the focal plane is 47 feet above sea level.  By 1901 the front light had been altered when a shingled, hexagonal wooden section was added to the top of the cast iron tower. This changed the height of the tower to 35 feet high. It was also about this time that the rear tower was raised to 53 feet high.

  These range lights were discontinued in 1961 and by 1964 the Front Range tower was relocated to a short distance to the grounds of the US Coast Guard Station on

Water Street

.  

After the Front Range light was destroyed by fire it was changed back to a more traditional appearance with the restoration of its original iron lantern in 1990.

 In 2009 the Rear Range tower received a new exterior paint job and a complete interior makeover of the “Lantern Room”.  As of the day it is maintained by the Lighthouse Preservation Society and awaits those willing to donate in upwards to $350.00 to support lighthouse preservation and negotiate steep steps and a metal rung ladder, can enjoy six hours of marvelous views from the “Lantern Room” and fine dining from 2 to 4 persons catered by their choice of 5 local restaurants with advance reservations.

Still located on Plum Island the Harbor Range Light was designated as a historical lighthouse in 1981 and today still functions as a single, green, fully automated, 4000 candle power, Fourth Order Fresnel light. It is visible 12 miles off the shore line and is a familiar beacon to mariners along our coast. It is currently maintained and operated by the “Friends of Plum Island Light”.

History of the Essex Street Inn

 

Happenings

Newburyport Civil War Walking Tour

Newburyport is rich in Civil War history, and that history comes alive with the Footsteps of Heroes: Civil War Walking Tours of Newburyport.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bill and Liz Hallett will lead participants back in time to the mid-19th century and the conflict that nearly tore the country apart. The tour will visit the location of the family dry goods store where Capt. Bartlett worked before becoming a casualty of the Battle of Antietam, the location of the old meetinghouse where Frederick Douglas spoke against slavery on his first New England tour and the home of a prominent citizen and presidential hopeful who was a dear friend of Jefferson Davis.

Participants will hear the accounts of famous ships, a Newburyport man who became a Confederate general, what Mayor Jackman and the city did upon hearing of the Lincoln Assassination and more.
The 90-minute tour will begin and end in front of Arthur Page Insurance Co. at 57 State St. In honor of Veterans Day, a $5 donation per person is requested for the Belleville Improvement Society, which maintains Newburyport's Civil War Memorial at Atkinson Common.

For more information, contact Bill Hallett at 978-994-4717.
In case of rain, the tour will take place Nov. 13 at the same time.

Courtesy of: http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x717134844/Newburyport-Civil-War-walking-tour-set-for-Nov-12
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A Dark and Stormy Night
with Ensemble Epomeo

An Unforgettable Black-Tie Evening from the Custom House Maritime Museum in collaboration with the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival on 11-11-11 at 6:30 PM

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Fair & Silent Auction - St. Paul's Church
Date: November 12, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
http://www.stpauls-nbpt.org

Event Description St. Paul's Church Fair and Silent Auction, Breakfast at 7:30 am to 9 am, Lunch 11 am to 1 pm. Baked Goods, Books, Boutique, Christmas, Crafts, Clothing, Jewelry, Linens, Toys, Children's Activities. Silent Auction offers many quality items from local businesses and others. Gift Certificates, furniture board, collectibles, goods and services, the list goes on and on and changes from year to year! Admission free.

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John Waite
Date: November 18, 2011
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
http://www.blueoceanhall.com

Event Description For over 30 years John Waite has enjoyed chart-topping records and sold-out concerts around the world. The ever-evolving British singer/songwriter had cut five albums with his first band, The Babys (Every Time I Think Of You, Isn’t It Time?) before going solo during the early 1980s. He released the international number one hit Missing You and several solo albums before returning to the top of the charts as front man for the pop/rock super group Bad English whose number one single When I See You Smile sparked a succession of Billboard Hot 100 Hits. Today, Waite balances his life between performing and composing and recording honest, heartfelt solo albums, including his newest release Rough & Tumble. Written and produced with Matchbox Twenty lead guitarist/songwriter Kyle Cook, the album shows a new and fresh side of Waite’s creative output.

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The Nutcracker at Firehouse Center for the Arts*
*If you are a Firehouse for the Arts member you receive 15% off your overnight room accommodations
Date: November 26, 2011 - November 27, 2011
http://www.firehouse.org
Event Description - Long a traditional favorite, Methuen Ballet Ensemble brings the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker!" to The Firehouse for Performing Arts in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Show dates and times are November 26th at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and November 27th at 3:00 p.m. Join the cast for a gala reception which will be held in the main lobby of The Firehouse at 6:00 p.m. on November 26th prior to the 7:00 show.

Methuen Ballet Ensemble, an established ballet company under the artistic direction of Vanessa Voter Shaheen, has staged “The Nutcracker” for over twenty years. All principal roles are performed by members of Methuen Ballet Ensemble, whose experience totals over 150 years of classical ballet training under Ms. Shaheen’s tutelage! Students of Voter’s School of Dance, Gymnastics & Karate, established 61 years ago by Pam Voter, perform all other roles. Dancers hail from Methuen, Lawrence, Haverhill, and N. Andover, MA, as well as Salem, Pelham, and Manchester, NH.

Each year, the production has become more elaborate with stunning visual effects and custom-designed costumes by a well-known Canadian designer. All performances include a giant growing Christmas tree, a heavenly mist, and an abundance of snowfall. Come share in the magic of Methuen Ballet Ensemble’s “The Nutcracker!”

This event is presented by Methuen Ballet Ensemble.
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The Fools
Date: November 26, 2011
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
http://www.blueoceanhall.com
Event Description - With hit songs like: Psycho Chicken; Life Sucks…Then You Die; It’s a Night for Beautiful Girls; Bite It; I Won’t Grow Up; and World Dance Party, The Fools deliver a non-stop powerhouse show. Great music performed by talented musicians with a hefty helping of comedy come together in a unique charm that has been lighting up miles of smiles for years. 

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Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
 

Date: November 27, 2011 Time: 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Event Description -
A NewburyportNewburyport, then gather in Market Square for the annual Christmas tree lighting and carols.

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Holiday Invitation Night
 
Event Description -
First two Fridays in December!
December 2 & December 9, 20116:00-9:00pm
Mark your calendars, book a babysitter and call your friends to make plans for two great nights in Newburyport! Enjoy merchant hospitality, live entertainment, fabulous shopping and dining - and of course the spirit of the holidays - in beautiful and festive downtown Newburyport and The Tannery!

Business Partner of the Month

Founded in 1993, by Brion and Georgieanna Svenson of Salisbury, MA, Four Star Limousines’ commitment to customer service far exceeds the standard. With a fleet of nine vehicles, Four Star accommodates the corporate traveler with airport transportation to Logan and Manchester and celebrates many events from weddings, to nights’ out, to intimate dinners and charitable events. They service the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine regions, especially the Seacoast area.

Special Holiday Package

Essex Street Inn’s old New England Christmas

A new Holiday Tradition

In yesteryears, the family would journey into the woods to find their Christmas tree. We would like to offer you a modern version of this. Stay with us between November 26th and December 18th, 2011 and enjoy Newburyport’s unique style of New England hospitality, a wonderful dinner and breakfast, a night at the Essex Street Inn and Suites, plus take home your favorite Christmas tree from Tendercrop Farms!

You’ll love your weekend escape! Please call us for more details: 978-465-3148

Package includes:

• One night lodging at the Essex Street Inn and Suites.
• $50 gift card for dinner at the Grog Restaurant – the place to eat in Newburyport for 40 years
• $20 gift card for breakfast at Angie's Coffee Shop
• Pick out your favorite tree at Tendercrop Farms* and shop for some delicious pastry, breads, soups and handmade gifts.
• Stroll the brick sidewalks of Newburyport and visit Santa in his workshop for a picture and leave him your Christmas list.
• Complimentary holiday gift to remember your visit from a Partridge in a Bear Tree*

$125.00 per person, Minimum double occupancy for a stay in a standard room 1 queen or 2 double (taxes not included)**

Children stay and eat for only an additional $15 each

Upgrade to an one room suite with whirlpool and fireplace for only $49.00 more**

*Coupon for Tendercrop Farms and Partridge in a bear Tree to be presented to guest upon arrival

** Room types subject to availability

** Cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions

** Must be mentioned at time of reservation**