PUBLIC LAW 104-333—NOV. 12, 1996 110 STAT. 4257 TITLE V—ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SEC. 501. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) FiNDlNGS.The Congress finds that— (1) Essex County, Massachusetts, was host to a series of historic events that influenced the course of the early settlement of the United States; its emergence as a maritime power; and its subsequent industrial development; (2) the North Shore of Essex County and the Merrimack River valley in Essex County contain examples of significant early American architecture and significant Federal-period architecture, many sites and buildings associated with the establishment of the maritime trade in the United States, the site of the witchcraft trials of 1692, the birthplace of successful iron manufacture, and the establishment of the textile and leather industries in and around the cities of Peabody, Beverly, L3nin, Lawrence, and Haverhill; (3) Salem, Massachusetts, has a rich heritage as one of the earliest landing sites of the English colonists, the first major world harbor for the United States, and an early thriving hub of American industries; (4) the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is the site of the first sustained, integrated iron works in Colonial America, and the technology employed at the Iron Works was dispersed throughout the Colonies and was critical to the development of industry and technology in America; (5) the Salem Maritime National Historic Site contains nationally significant resources that explain the manner in which the Nation was settled, its evolution into a maritime power, and its development as a major industrial force; (6) the story told at the Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites would be greatly enhanced through the interpretation of significant theme-related resources in Salem and Saugus and throughout Essex County; (7) partnerships between the private and public sectors have been created and additional partnerships will be encouraged to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the region, which will stimulate cultural awareness, preservation, and economic development through tourism; (8) a visitors' center that has already been constructed at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts, will be available to interpret the themes of the Essex National Heritage Area established by this title and to coordinate the interpretive and preservation activities of the Area; and (9) the resident and business communities of the region have formed the Essex Heritage Ad Hoc Commission for the preservation, interpretation, promotion, and development of the nistoric, cultural, and natural resources of the region and are investing significant private funds and energy to develop a plan to preserve the nationally significant resources of Essex County. (b) PURPOSE. —It is the purpose of this title— (1) to establish the Essex National Heritage Area to recognize, preserve, promote, interpret, and make available for the Massachusetts. 16 USC 461 note.
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