Like a strand of precious jewels, four historic places on the upper York River in Gloucester are slowly being assembled into a glittering necklace that one day will attract a surge of visitors to our county. This week, the Gazette-Journal presents the first in a series of articles outlining the plans.

Rosewell has been in the public eye since 1980 when the 1916 fire-destroyed ruins of the grand 18th century Page mansion were deeded to the Gloucester Historical Society. Today operated by a foundation, the ruins and a visitor center are open regularly and efforts continue to explore the site and to preserve what remains for posterity.

Digging began nearby in 2001 at Fairfield, a mansion lost to fire in 1897. The excavations led to creation of the Fairfield Foundation and brought professional archaeologists to Gloucester who, through the foundation and its for-profit arm, have unearthed significant local history throughout the region. They continue to explore Fairfield and in fact,...