The second annual Newburyport Literary Festival (April 27-29, 2007) appeared to be a huge hit this weekend.

The seaside city of Newburyport, MA was full of folks, getting out of their cars with purpose and intent, heading off to hear some 70 writers at various locations across the historic city of Newburyport, MA.

Pretty amazing for only the 2nd annual Newburyport Literary Festival.

And starting this weekend there will be another festival of sorts. The Newburyport Preservation Trust is having its first annual Preservation Week starting Saturday, May 5th through May 12, 2007.

Good for the Newburyport Preservation Trust.

The Newburyport Preservation Trust has blossomed this year due to the efforts, in great part (there are others) to Sarah White, Steve Rudolph as well as Karen Battles.

From what I understand there will be posters telling all about the preservation celebration around town. Be sure to be on the lookout.

Preservation Week opens at 10AM at the old jail on Auburn Street, beside the Newburyport Bartlet Mall. Our very own Bill Steelman will be making the opening remarks.

And, as I think I’ve said before on the Newburyport Blog, Bill Steelman is one of Newburyport’s unsung heroes.

I first got to know Mr. Steelman when I was involved in the fight to save High Street. At that time he was working for the Massachusetts Historical Commission. I can absolutely guarantee you that we would have a strip-mall for High Street if it wasn’t for Mr. Steelman’s knowledge, involvement and expertise.

Bill Steelman has never been one to seek the limelight, so I couldn’t be more please that folks would have a chance to get to know this gentleman, who has a wealth of knowledge, in fact I often refer to him as a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, during Newburyport Preservation Week.

For a complete calendar of events, please check out the Newburyport Preservation Trust’s website, or go directly to the “Events” page of the Newburyport Preservation Trust.

We as a community are enormously lucky to have people step up to the plate– for the Literary Festival and also for Preservation Week. A big “thank you” to all.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport