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The North Shore of Massachusetts is a region north of Boston.
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Geography
There are three possible definitions for the North Shore.
Coastal
North Shore of Massachusetts could be taken to mean the entire coast of Massachusetts south of New Hampshire to the City of Boston (listed in order, North-to-South):
Cultural
The North Shore of Massachusetts is a wealthy collection of towns, often considered the "Gold Coast" of the Bay State. The area is noted for the many large estates that dot the rocky shore. What began as a summer destination for many of Boston's wealthiest citizens has become home for many who make their living in the city. Towns such as Marblehead, Manchester, and Newburyport preserve the heritage of old New England society and are among the most exclusive communities in the state. Residents of the North Shore are more often than not upper class white collar families of Northern European descent and Christian in faith, although several communities maintain a notable Jewish presence. Many prestigious private schools call the North Shore home including The Governor's Academy, St. John's Prep, and the Pingree School. Most residents belong to one of the many country clubs in the area including Ipswich Country Club and The Myopia Hunt Club as well as several yacht clubs including the Corinathian Yacht Club, Boston Yacht Club, and the Newburyport Yacht Club. Excluded from the North Shore are the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts, with exceptions where locals identify themselves as "North Shore" residents, including towns such as Georgetown and Boxford, and west to Billerica.
Economic
The Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council's North Shore Task Force, a regional planning agency, defines the North Shore as also encompassing Cape Ann and several inland communities. The North Shore Task Force's definition of the North Shore comprises the following cities and towns:
History
The North Shore communities have varied and rich histories: Gloucester was America's first fishing community; Salem was the location of the infamous Witch Trials as well as one of the largest centers of shipping and sixth largest city in early America. The hysteria that led to the Witch Trials began in the part of Salem that is now present-day Danvers. Lynn was once the center of the American shoe industry. Saugus is home to the first integrated ironworks in North America. Peabody had the largest concentration of leather tanneries in the world; and Beverly and Marblehead often dispute over which town was the birthplace of the American Navy. Newburyport was well known for producing clipper ships and for a brief time in history was the richest city in the Union; it is also home to America's first coast guard station.
Sites of interest
- The Peabody Essex Museum - a museum with large collections of maritime artifacts and Asian art.
- The Salem Witch Museum
- The Saugus Iron Works
- The Swampscott Fish House - the oldest active fish house in the country.
- The Salem Seaport
- Historic Gloucester and Rockport Seaports
- Historic Downtown Salem
- North Shore Navigators collegiate-league baseball team
- The North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, New England's largest regional theater
- The Cabot Street Cinema Theatre in Beverly is home to Le Grand David, the world's longest-running resident stage magic show.
See also
Coordinates: 42°41′04″N 70°38′07″W / 42.684454°N 70.635223°W
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