Merrimack Resilient River: An Illustrated Profile of the Most Historic River in New England

This well-researched book highlights the dramatic life of the Merrimack River, from the colorful days of the Native Americans to its current status as one of the most scenic recreational waterways in New England. The 117-mile river runs from central New Hampshire to Newburyport, Massachusetts, where it meets the Atlantic.

Here the Coast Guard was born, and colonial trade thrived. The Industrial Revolution was launched in the riverside mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. The science of clean drinking water was developed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the first successful labor action also took place in Lawrence. Thousands of immigrants worked in mills along the Merrimack, and this book tells their riveting stories.

In the 70s, the once-filthy “Merrimuck” was cleaned up to serve again as one of the most popular waterways in New England. And the Merrimack is still an essential resource. It serves as the source of drinking water for a half-million people. Many have seen part of the Merrimack River, but this unique book provides info and images about all sectors of this great waterway.

(fun NESB factoid - our shop is visible in the bottom cover photo!)

About the Author:

DYKE HENDRICKSON is an award-winning author/journalist living on the Merrimack in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This is his sixth book. He has always lived near the water, and newspapers for which he worked include the Portland Press Herald, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and the Boston Herald. His last newspaper job was as waterfront reporter for The Daily News in Newburyport. Earlier books were Nautical Newburyport and New England Coast Guard Stories. Other publications for which he has written include USA Today, the Boston Globe, and Tennis magazine. He is currently an outreach historian for the Merrimack River Watershed Council.