Hot spots for the summer

Cape Ann features an array of attractions that bring visitors to its shores each summer, ranging from a famous collection of American folk art to a gambling cruise ship.

Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Palazola said she is often asked by travel writers "what's new and hot."

The three items at the top of her list are the Cogswell's Grant in Essex, the "Perfect Storm" tour and Leisure Casino cruises. All three are part of this year's 16th annual travel writers weekend.

Cogswell's Grant

The Cogswell's Grant house, located off Spring Street in Essex, boasts one of the premiere collections of folk art in the United States. This will be the first full summer that the collection, which opened last fall, will be open for public viewing.

The persimmon-colored farmhouse, built in 1730 by Jonathan Cogswell, sits on a rise overlooking the salt marsh and the Essex River.

In 1937, Bertram and Nina Fletcher Little bought the house and spent the next 50 years filling it with one of the country's most important collections of folk art. The collection reflects the couple's shared sense of humor and their scholarly bent.

The property, run by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, is open from June 1 through Oct. 15, from Wednesday to Sunday with tours every hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A "Storm" of activity

The best-selling book "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger has created a flurry of activity in Gloucester.

"We have people coming in with dog-eared copies of the book, sometimes even 13-year-old kids," said Palazola. "It's a large audience who is interested in it. They want to know where is the Crow's Nest, Gorton's, and the dock they left from."

To cater to some of that interest, Melissa Bach of Gloucester Guided Tours started a walking tour _ called "The Perfect Tour" _ centered on the book .

"Especially with plans for the motion picture, this summer is particularly timely," said Palazola. Filming is expected to take place in and around Gloucester in late summer.

Cruises, arts and other city highlights

Casino cruises are prompting many telephone calls from visitors.

"Travel operators are telling us the most requested trips are for gambling facilities. The demand for this kind of information has not dwindled," Palazola said.

Turning to the arts, Gloucester's North Shore Arts Association will feature a special retrospective of the work of local artist Frederick John Mulhaupt, who is known for his paintings of harbor scenes, schooners, the workers and the wharves.

"Most of the prominent artists here today respect him as one of the finest artists who came to Gloucester," said Ted Tysver, a historian for the art association.

The exhibit will open to the public Aug. 14 through Oct. 24.

Mulhaupt was born in Rockport, Mo., in 1871. His art schooling took him to Chicago, New York and Paris. His earliest painting of Gloucester dates back to 1907.

He summered here for years and moved to Cape Ann in 1922, where he was a resident artist of the Rocky Neck art colony. He died in 1938.

Other major events on Cape Ann include the New Fish Festival on June 23, St. Peter's Fiesta from June 24-27, the International Dory Races on June 26, July 3-4 festivities around Cape Ann, Gloucester Waterfront Festival on Aug. 21-22, Gloucester Schooner Festival Sept. 3-6, the Essex Clamfest on Sept. 11 and the Gloucester Seafood Festival Sept. 17-19.

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