Join us for the History & Cultures of the Great Marsh Conference on Monday, October 23, 2023 at The Governor's Academy. This in-person event will start at 8:30am sharp, so be sure to arrive early!

At this day-long conference, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the rich heritage and diverse cultures of Essex County's Great Marsh. Our expert speakers will cover topics ranging from the indigenous peoples who lived in the area, the impact of European settlement on the development of the Great Marsh, the art that this beautiful place inspired, and the challenges facing the region's most captivating natural landscape today. Speaker info below.

$30 for members of Museum of Old Newbury, $30 for members of Essex County Greenbelt, $45 general admission. Optional field trips are an additional $10-$15. Snacks, beverages and lunch are included with your ticket.

Topics and speakers include:

Christoph Strobel, Ph.D., "The Great Marsh, Newbury, and the Indigenous Worlds of the Merrimack River Valley System and Beyond."

Gordon Harris, historian, "Contention in the Commons: The Open Field Land System in 17th Century Newbury"

Tricia Peone, Ph.D., "Slavery and Memory in the Great Marsh"

Monica Reuss, American fine art specialist, "Splendour in the Grass: Art Inspired by the Great Marsh"

Panel: "Agriculture, Fishing, Hunting, & Conservation in the Great Marsh"

• Rich Clyborne, Executive Director of The Gundalow Company

• Russell Hopping, Ecology Program Director, Trustees of Reservations

• Geoffrey Walker, sportsman & wildlife activist, Great Marsh Partnership

Closing remarks: Peter Phippen, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Great Marsh Partnership

Optional field trips from 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm include :

1. Bird watching with Laura Vehring in the Parker River marsh surrounding The Governor’s Academy

2. Guided tour of Plum Island’s cranberry bogs

3. Guided tour of the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm & its salt marsh hay production, past & present.

Attendees will also be invited to tour of the Academy's brand-new Alfond Coastal Research Center (completed just this summer), a state-of-the-art marine study facility overlooking the south bank of the Parker River near Thurlow's Bridge.

At this day-long conference, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the rich heritage and diverse cultures of Essex County's Great Marsh. Our expert speakers will cover topics ranging from the indigenous peoples who lived in the area, the impact of European settlement on the development of the Great Marsh, the art that this beautiful place inspired, and the challenges facing the region's most captivating natural landscape today.

$30 for members of Museum of Old Newbury, $30 for members of Essex County Greenbelt, $45 general admission. Optional field trips are an additional $10-$15.

The History & Cultures of the Great Marsh Conference is sponsored in part by Eastern Bank.